One Suspect In PPE Procurement Corruption Has Not Been Detained Because It Has Just Undergoed Operations

KPK Investigation Director Asep Guntur Rahayu/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has not yet detained a suspect in the alleged corruption in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPD) during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely Ahmad Taufik as President Director of PT Permana Putra Mandiri (PPM). He is said to be unable to attend due to his health condition.

"There is still a need so it is not present at this time," said KPK Investigation Director Asep Guntur to reporters at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, October 3.

Meanwhile, KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardika explained that Ahmad Taufik is currently still recovering after surgery.

"Later we will be summoned for detention," he said on a separate occasion.

As for this case, the KPK named Ahmad Taufik as a suspect along with two other people who had been detained on Thursday, October 3. They are Budi Badia as the Commitment Making Officer (PPK) at the Health Crisis Center of the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the President Director of PT Energi Kita Indonesia, Satrio Wibowo.

The three became suspects because they were suspected of causing the state to lose up to Rp319 billion based on the results of an audit by the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP). This procurement budget comes from Ready Funds to Use the 2020 National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

The KPK suspects that there has been a violation of the purchase procedure. Among other things, the distribution by the TNI at the order of the Head of BNPB at that time took PPD from a producer owned by PT PPM in the Bonded Area and sent it directly to 10 provinces without any documentation, supporting evidence and ordering letters.

Then there was a renegotiation carried out by Harmensyah as the BNPB Budget User Authority (KPA) so that the PPE price was lowered by 10 US dollars or from 60 dollars to 50 dollars. This process, called the KPK, does not refer to the price of the same brand PPE purchased by the Ministry of Health previously, which was Rp. 370 thousand.

Next there is a backdate to appoint Budi as PPK for the procurement of PPE at the Ministry of Health on March 28, 2020. Meanwhile, the letter was issued the day before.

Then, there is also an PPD Order Letter from the Ministry of Health to PT PPM in the amount of 5 million sets with a unit price of 48.4 US dollars signed by Budi, Ahmad Taufik and Satrio. However, there are no job specifications, work implementation time, payment and the rights and obligations of the parties in detail.

In addition, the Order Letter was addressed to PT PPM, but PT EKI also signed. As a result of their actions, the suspects were suspected of violating Article 2 paragraph 1 or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code (KUHP).