Allegations Of Ministry Of Agriculture Corruption, Jokowi: Often Reminded To Be Careful Of Managing State Money

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) (Doc: State Secretariat)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reminded ministers and heads of state institutions to be careful in managing state finances because they have such a large budget scale and complexity.

"On the other hand, I say, be careful in managing state finances because what we manage at the ministry level is really big, we have to be 'aware', it must be controlled, it must be checked," Jokowi said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, June 15.

Jokowi made this statement when asked about the alleged corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) which is currently being investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"I will tell you again (checked) no matter how small," he said.

Jokowi was reluctant to comment more specifically on the alleged corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture. He handed the case over to law enforcement officials.

"Ask there (Law Enforcement officers)," he said.

Jokowi reiterated that the investigation into suspected corruption cases was in the realm of law and was under law enforcement officials. That way, Jokowi asked all processes of investigating legal cases to be asked directly to law enforcement officials.

"Whose business is it? If law enforcement matters ask law enforcement, not to me," said Jokowi.

The KPK has now opened an investigation into alleged corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture. This information was confirmed by Plt. Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu, Tuesday (14/6).

"Currently, the KPK is investigating allegations of corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture," said Asep.

Asep also could not provide further information about the case because the process is still under investigation.

"That's right, it's still in the process of being investigated, sorry we haven't got any information yet," he said.

Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri confirmed that the KPK had investigated a number of parties related to the alleged corruption crime.

"So far, what we know is true, the stage of the process of requesting information from a number of parties on suspicion of corruption at the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture," said Ali.

Ali called the investigation a follow-up to public reports received by the KPK and followed up with the law enforcement process.