Investigating Alleged Corruption In Formula E, KPK Asks Former Sesmenpora To Explain Budget Management

The Jakarta KPK building was sprayed with disinfectant when it was initially declared a pandemic. (Between-Reno Esnir)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to investigate allegations of corruption in the implementation of the Formula E electric car racing event which was held in Jakarta. Most recently, former Sesmenpora Gatot S Dewa Broto was questioned for questioning.

"I was asked to fulfill the summons from the KPK because three days ago there was a letter asking me to come to provide clarification," Gatot told reporters at the KPK Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, June 16.

Gatot admitted that he was asked for information to explain the budget management process for the electric car racing event. There is one letter, namely a letter of recommendation that is in the spotlight of KPK investigators.

The recommendation letter, he continued, was issued by the Kemenpora whose process had been preceded by an application from the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan.

"The letter also stated that at the beginning of the preparation for the 2019 planning, there was a request from the Governor to the Minister of Youth and Sports to issue a recommendation," he said.

"And the recommendation has been issued and asked today to be brought to the KPK, that's the point," added Gatot.

Gatot slightly leaked the contents of the recommendation letter. One of them, there is a note that the racing event will not be financed by the state budget or the central government.

"(The contents of the recommendation, ed) only mention that Formula E is welcome but we will not help with the budget problem. I think that's a natural thing, what does it mean? An ordinary recommendation, as is usually a recommendation for a sporting activity," he said.

As previously reported, the KPK continues to investigate allegations of corruption related to the implementation of Formula E in Jakarta. This step was taken to find a criminal element by clarifying a number of related parties in the international racing event.

"We often say that because this is a process to find out if there is a criminal incident, we certainly collect information from parties who are summoned for questioning and clarification," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, to reporters at the KPK's Red and White building, Jakarta, Tuesday, June 7th.

He explained that there was already some information and data obtained by investigators. Furthermore, the existing material will be analyzed to conclude whether or not there is a criminal incident.

However, Ali said that his party could not provide details about what information had been obtained from the investigation process. However, the KPK ensures that all existing developments will be conveyed.

"We will later analyze what kind of further analysis is, whether the statements of one party are related to another, then the other evidence that we currently have is analyzed, and whether it can be concluded that there is a criminal act of corruption and there are people who can be legally accounted for. Of course we're going there," he explained.

"At this time we can't convey it in full. Later we will certainly convey the development," added Ali.