Former Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Called By KPPU Regarding Cisem 2, Bahlil: We Are Working Really Allegedly!

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia (photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia opened his voice regarding the summons of former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif by the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU).

For information, Arifin was summoned to investigate the case of alleged tender conspiracy in the procurement of integrated construction work designed and built the construction of the Cirebon-Semarang natural gas transmission pipeline Phase 2 of the Batang-Cirebon-Kandang Haur section which was carried out by the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in 2024.

Bahlil asked the KPPU not to suspect in investigating the Cisem 2 project. Bahlil said his Ministry had done the work properly but was still suspected of committing fraud.

"Where are there allegations, don't continue to guess. We are really working together. It has been a long time since we told us from the sky to go down to become a tender committee," Bahlil told the media crew, Thursday, December 19.

Bahlil also asked the KPPU to prove that there was a fraud in the CIsem 2 project. This is intended not to build a bad perception from the community regarding this project.

"Yes, go ahead KPPU if you want to prove it. Don't build perceptions," continued Bahlil.

Bahlil ensured that his party at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources had worked well. Bahlil has also directly checked the imi project

"We have checked why the ESDM team all works properly according to the rules. Don't keep guessing. If possible, the KPPU will have new results to talk about. Don't keep talking about it," said Bahlil.

Previously, Arifin was summoned by KPPU on Wednesday, December 18 with the status of a witness in his capacity as a former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources for the 2019 2024 period in office during the tender.

"Arifin was summoned for questioning regarding the procurement," said Head of the Public Relations and Cooperation Bureau of the KPPU Secretariat General, Deswin Nur.

For information, KPPU is currently carrying out an investigation into reports related to the alleged tender for the Cirebon-Semarang Natural Gas Transmission Pipe Construction Phase 2 of the Batang-Cirebon-Kandang Haur Timur Multi Years Contract (Cisem 2) section. This project was built with a tender ceiling value approaching IDR 3 trillion.

In the near future, KPPU will also ask for information from other parties related to the tender.

"We ask all parties to cooperate in fulfilling the KPPU's summons and submit the necessary evidence. For those who refuse, an investigation can be carried out and are threatened with a fine or a maximum imprisonment of one year as a substitute for a fine," said Deswin.