KPU Affirms It Is Not Authorized To Investigate PPATK's Findings Regarding The Flow Of Money To Treasurer 21 Political Parties

ILLUSTRATION OF DOK VOI

The General Elections Commission (KPU) confirmed that it does not have the authority to investigate the findings of the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) regarding the flow of funds originating from abroad in the account transaction report belonging to the treasurer of 21 political parties (parpol).

"We do not have the capacity to compare account data outside the initial report of campaign funds (LADK). We only evaluate the use of LADK in campaign financing, this is appropriate or not," said KPU Technical Division Coordinator Idham Holik after attending the trial event. Three PKPU Drafts in Jakarta reported by ANTARA, Thursday, January 11.

Responding to the Rp195 billion that entered the treasurer's account from 21 political parties, Idham stated that the KPU only had the authority to recommend opening a special LADK election account to a public accountant for further examination.

"If there are other accounts outside the LADK, they are used for financial transactions, of course that is beyond the authority of the KPU," he said.

Idham said the authorities in conveying the details of each finding in the case were PPATK as the first institution to issue information to the public.

However, he stated that the KPU continues to encourage open principles to really be implemented by all participants in the 2024 General Election. This principle also encourages the issuance of KPU Regulation Number 18 of 2023 concerning the General Election Campaign Fund.

"We will encourage the principle of openness to be implemented by election participants. If the open principle can be implemented, I think the potential for inaccuracies in campaign funds can be minimized, and that is indeed our common challenge," he said.

Previously reported, PPATK Head Ivan Yustiavandana revealed findings about the receipt of hundreds of billions of rupiah from abroad in the account transaction of the treasurer of 21 political parties throughout 2022'2023.

In his findings, Ivan said there were 8,270 transactions from 21 political parties in 2022. Acceptances increased, or to 9,164 transactions in 2023.

"They are also among those we know that they have received funds from abroad. In 2022, the receipt of funds is only Rp. 83 billion, in 2023 it will increase to Rp. 195 billion," he said.