KPK Calls Alleged Corruption In Procurement Of Presidential Social Assistance During COVID-19 State Loss Hundreds Of Billions

KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika (DOK Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that the alleged corruption in the procurement of social assistance (bansos) for the president has cost the state hundreds of billions of rupiah. The exact amount could still increase because the calculation is still being carried out. "“ Interim Loss (still, red) IDR 125 billion,” said KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika to reporters at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, June 26. Tessa said that the investigation into the alleged corruption in the procurement of presidential social assistance emerged during a hand arrest operation (OTT) against former Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Juliari Batubara in 2020. At that time there were public reports received by the KPK. "This allegation, ed, is from a public report during the 2020 Ministry of Social's OTT which was followed up with an investigation," he said. The mode used, continued Tessa, is a reduction in the quality of the goods provided. But he hasn't detailed it yet because investigations are still being carried out. “(The mode, red) reduces the quality of social assistance,” explained the spokesman with the investigator's background. Previously reported, the KPK revealed that it was investigating allegations of corruption in the procurement of presidential social assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic which was distributed in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) in 2020.

One of the suspects in this case is Ivo Wongkaren who is the President Director of Mitra Energi Persada. This name was previously convicted in the corruption case of social assistance for the procurement of rice for the Family Hope Program (PKH). Ivo by the Jakarta Corruption Court was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months in prison. He was also sentenced to a fine of Rp. 1 billion, a subsidiary of 12 months in prison.