Maluku COVID-19 Rp100 Billion Budget For 2 Years Allegedly Misappropriated

Head of the Legal Information and Public Relations Section of the Maluku Attorney General's Office, Ardy, SH. MH. (9/7) (ANTARA/daniel/)

The Maluku High Prosecutor's Office has again summoned a number of officials from the Maluku Provincial Government for questioning regarding allegations of misappropriation of COVID-19 funds in 2020 and 2021.

"Today there are four Maluku Provincial Government officials who have fulfilled the summons of the prosecutor for questioning regarding the management of COVID-19 funds amounting to Rp170 billion for 2020 and 2021," said Head of Penkum and Public Relations of the Maluku Attorney General's Office Ardy in Ambon, quoted from ANTARA, Wednesday (10/7).

The COVID-19 fund for the 2020 fiscal year is IDR 100 billion, and in 2021 it will reach IDR 70 billion.

According to him, the four top provincial government officials who attended the Maluku Prosecutor's Office included the Head of the Navy Bappeda, the former Head of BPKAD LR, the Head of the Cooperatives and SMEs Office of the MNK and the treasurer of the Health Office of SMEs.

"They have fulfilled the prosecutor's summons since 10:00 WIT and were questioned until 16:00 WIT," he said.

Previously, there were three other officials who fulfilled the investigators' summons, including the Head of the Maluku Transportation Office, the Head of the Kominfo Office, and the Head of the Maluku Perindag Office for questioning.

So far, seven officials and former Maluku Provincial Government officials have been summoned by the prosecutor's office.

"The prosecutor's purpose is to request information to look for evidence and facts in cases of alleged criminal acts or misappropriation of the management of COVID-19 funds in 2020 and 2021," explained Ardy.

Then the prosecutor has also scheduled a summons for officials or other parties suspected of having links to this case which the Maluku Prosecutor's Office is currently investigating.

"The summons of the relevant parties to be made a request for information by the prosecutor because the case has been upgraded to an investigation status," he said.