Social Assistance Bribes Flowing To Operators Ihsan Yunus, KPK: We Confirm Further

Reconstruction of Bansos bribes (Photo: Wardhani Tsa Tsa / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will investigate the alleged flow of funds for the bribery case for the provision of social assistance (bansos) for COVID-19 in the Jabodetabek area which also flowed into the pockets of former Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR RI Ihsan Yunus.

Moreover, this suspicion is getting stronger after the reconstruction of the social assistance bribery case that ensnared former Social Minister Juliari Peter Batubara, the operator or intermediary for Ihsan, Agustri Yogasmara alias Yogas is suspected of receiving Rp1.53 billion and two Brompton folding bicycles from the suspect Harry Sidabuke. .

"Regarding whether the alleged giving of money or goods from the suspect (Harry Sidabuke, ed) to another party, as the scene in the reconstruction was a bribe, of course it needs to be further confirmed with witnesses (Yogas and Ihsan, ed) and evidence, "said Acting KPK spokesman Ali Fikri in his statement to reporters on Monday, February 1.

In addition to confirmation, he said, investigators would certainly deepen the gift.

"In principle, if in the process of investigating this case, at least there is sufficient involvement of other parties, of course the KPK can determine that party as a suspect," he said.

Previously reported, the name of the former Deputy Chairperson of Commission VIII DPR RI Ihsan Yunus was often associated with the alleged bribery case for social assistance COVID-19 for the Greater Jakarta area which ensnared former Social Minister Juliari Peter Batubara.

The KPK even summoned Ihsan Yunus for questioning on Wednesday, January. However, the legislator from PDI Perjuangan did not fulfill the examination on the grounds that he had not received a summons from the investigating team so that it would be rescheduled.

In addition, to investigate his involvement in this case, the KPK also searched the residence of Ihsan Yunus' parents in East Jakarta on Tuesday, January 12. From this search, investigators confiscated communication tools and several documents related to COVID-19 social assistance.

Next, investigators have twice examined businessman Muhammad Rakyan Ikram, who is said to be Ihsan Yunus' younger brother. During the questioning last Friday, January 29, KPK investigators questioned Rakyan regarding the distribution of rations and quotas for the distribution of social assistance for COVID-19 because he was also working on the project.

In the COVID-19 social assistance bribery case, the KPK has named a number of suspects, including the non-active Social Minister Juliari Batubara.

In addition, the KPK also named four other suspects, namely the Commitment Making Officer at the Ministry of Social Affairs (PPK) MJS and AW as recipients of bribes and AIM and HS as the givers of bribes.