Personal Secretary Johnny G. Plate Communications About Money Using Signal Application

Former Minister Of Communication And Information Johnny G Plate/PHOTO: Rizky Adytia-VOI

JAKARTA - Former Personal Secretary of the Minister of Communication and Information Johnny G. Plate, Heppy Endah Palupy used the Signal application to communicate with former Director of BAKTI Kominfo Anang Achmad Latif when discussing the issue of giving money. Heppy made this statement when presented by the public prosecutor (JPU) as a witness in the alleged corruption case in the provision of Base Tranceiver Station (BTS) infrastructure and supporting infrastructure for Kominfo for the 2020-2022 period. It started when Chief Judge Fahzal Henri questioned Heppy about Anang Achmad Latif's order to meet someone. Heppy then agreed. Then, he said that he had communicated with an intermediary or person appointed by Anang Achmad Latif. "Then the person was called or in WA?" asked Judge Fahzal during a trial at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court, Tuesday, September 19. "Signal apps," replied Heppy. "Why don't you use WA, call normally?" said Judge Fahzal. "He asked for a Signal (Application)," said Heppy. Hearing this statement, Judge Fahzal immediately questioned the reason for using the Signal application because the discussions carried out by witnesses were confidential. However, Heppy said that previously he did not know what to talk about in the Signal application. "Because the secret means?" said Judge Fahzal. "Saya sebelumnya tidak terinfo Mulia, saya baru tahu dari Pak Anang," jawab Heppy. Judge Fahzal then said that as one of the top Kominfo officials, it was impossible for him to understand the reasons behind the use of the Signal application. Moreover, he considered Kominfo as the king of communication. "The Kominfo person doesn't know, Kominfo is the king of telecommunications. I know, intercepting Kominfo people is even greater. Do you pretend you don't know. Why do you even use Signal?" said Judge Fahzal. "There is something to be kept secret. To be honest? Yes?" he continued. However, Heppy remained in his statement. He emphasized that the use of the Signal application only followed directions. "It's true, Your Majesty. I didn't know at that time there was an application called Signal," said Heppy.

Previously, Heppy had agreed to the indictment regarding Johnny G. Plate receiving money from the President Director of Bakti Kominfo Anang Achmad Latief of Rp. 500 million each month. The gift has been given 20 times. Thus, the total money that Johnny G. Plate received was Rp. 10 billion.