The Office Of The Director General Of Mineral Affairs Of The Ministry Of Energy And Mineral Resources Was Ransacked By The KPK, Minister Arifin Confirms Regarding Allegations Of Corruption In The Work Allowance

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif. (Between)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif admitted that he had received a report related to the KPK investigating allegations of corruption in the payment of employee performance allowances at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) in the 2020-2022 fiscal year.

"There are allegations, yes, but confirming the corruption or not," said Arifin at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday, March 27, which was confiscated by Antara.

The KPK today searched the Office of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources related to allegations of corruption in the ministry.

One of the locations searched was the room of the Director General (Dirjen) of Mineral and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Ridwan Djamaluddin. "Yes, we just follow the ongoing process, so it's crowded, yes," he added.

Arifin admitted that he only received a glimpse of the explanation regarding the KPK investigation.

"There is a glimpse of the explanation, yes, indeed, if it is being carried out, yes, we are waiting for the results, waiting for information from the KPK," said Arifin.

In his statement, the Head of the KPK News Section, Ali Fikri, said that the case of alleged corruption in the payment of employee performance allowances at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources originated from public complaints.

The KPK has also named a number of parties as suspects.

"We make sure that several parties have been named as suspects. However, the parties named as suspects, the full description of the criminal allegations carried out and the articles that are suspected will be conveyed if the collection of evidence by the investigative team has been fulfilled," said Ali.

The KPK hopes that various parties who are summoned as suspects and witnesses to be cooperative are present with the light of opening up what they know so that they can be immediately brought to trial.

"In order for the investigation of this case to remain on the track, we hope that the public can always monitor it and we are open to conveying the update," said Ali.

It is known that the Director General of Mineral and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Ridwan Djamaluddin has also served as Acting Governor or Acting Governor. The Governor of the Bangka Belitung Islands (Babel) since May 12, 2022, replaces Erzaldi Rosman, whose term of office has expired as the definitive governor of Babel.

Despite being the Acting Governor of Babel, Ridwan still carries out his mandate as Director General of Mineral and Coal.

Ridwan has served as Director General of Mineral and Coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources since 2020. Prior to joining the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ridwan first served at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves).

At the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs, Ridwan was appointed as Deputy for Infrastructure and Transportation Coordination and Deputy for Infrastructure Coordination. Previously, he had also served as Deputy for Natural Resources Development Technology at the Agency for the Assessment of Technology (BPPT) and had been a commissioner at PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk.