Luhut Is Being Accused Of Taking Profit In The PCR Test Business, His Spokesperson Denies

DOC VIA ANTARA / Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menkomarves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan is said to be involved in the business of procuring COVID-19 RT PCR test kits through PT Genomik Solidaritas Indonesia (GSI).

In this case, PT GSI provides COVID-19 test services and manages a PCR test laboratory. One of the shareholders of PT GSI is PT Toba Bumi Energi and PT Toba Sejahtera. These two companies are affiliated with Luhut.

This issue was expressed by former Director of Publication and Public Education of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Agustinus Edy.

However, this allegation was denied by Luhut's spokesman, Jodi Mahardi. Jodi clarified that Luhut's stake in this company is less than 10 percent.

"So, Mr. Luhut does not have majority control in Toba Bara Sejahtera, so we cannot comment on Toba Bumi Energi," Jodi said when confirmed, Monday, November 1.

Regarding PT GSI, Jodi explained that Luhut had only invited the company to help deal with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. He emphasized that GSI was merely a social entrepreneurship, not aimed at making a profit for the shareholders.

"Mr. Luhut's participation in GSI is part of your efforts to help deal with the pandemic in the early days. In addition to the donations, the PCR test kits and reagents were given to medical faculties in several campuses," Jodi explained.

Jodi also emphasized that there was no distribution of profits in the form of dividends or other forms to the shareholders of PT GSI.

"There is no business intention in Toba Sejahtra's participation in GSI, moreover Mr. Luhut himself has always voiced that the price of this PCR test can continue to be lowered so that it becomes more affordable for the community," he concluded.

It is known that the former Director of Publication and Public Education of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Agustinus Edy, in his Facebook account assessed that Luhut was involved in the PCR business at PT GSI.

Because, in the shareholders of PT GSI, there are two companies affiliated with Luhut, namely PT Toba Bumi Energi with 242 shares and PT Tiba Sejahtera with ownership of 242 shares.

In addition, PT GSI was also born by PT Adaro Bangun Negeri Foundation which is related to PT Adaro Energy Tbk (ADRO), 485 shares of which are owned by Boy Thohir who is the brother of Erick Thohir.

"Use common sense. A Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs also holds the position of Coordinator of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). He is at the helm in terms of COVID-19 policies and investment. Then, a Minister of State-Owned Enterprises is concurrently Chair of the COVID-19 Handling Team and National Economic Recovery (PEN). The Minister of Health is a former Deputy Minister of SOEs. However, it turns out that the minister is affiliated with PT Genomik Solidaritas Indonesia," said Edy, quoted by VOI after obtaining permission for reporting purposes.

"It's all clearly a business. The legal entity is PT. The goal of PT is profit! Remember, it's not a matter of people being prohibited from doing business but first looking at the position of who is doing business. It's very immoral to make public positions as an entry point for doing business, taking advantage of the pandemic period that is troubling the people," continued Edy.