We respect and support the process underway at the KPK.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Juliari P. Batubara respects and supports the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK's) move to interrogate several officials of the Social Affairs Ministry caught red-handed on early Saturday.

"We respect and support the process underway at the KPK," the minister stated through messaging apps on Saturday.

The minister spoke of still monitoring the interrogation.

KPK Deputy Chairman Nurul Ghufron noted that the commission was conducting a formal and systemic questioning of several officials of the Social Affairs Ministry caught red-handed on early Saturday.

"The KPK has arrested several people believed to be officials of the Social Affairs Ministry over an (alleged) graft case related to the realization of social aid to weather the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Until now, we are still interrogating them," Ghufron noted here on Saturday.

However, the KPK deputy chairman chose to withhold details pertaining to the identities of the Social Affairs Ministry’s officials and evidence seized during the arrest operation.

“We will disclose the faults of those arrested and what evidence had been seized at a press conference tonight," he stated.

KPK Chairman Firli Bahur noted that the anti-graft body had arrested an official of the Social Affairs Ministry over alleged graft in the use of funding funneled for social aid to weather the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"That is true. On Friday, from November 4, 2020, at 11 p.m. local time to Saturday, December 5, 2020, at 2 a.m. local time, the KPK has conducted the arrest operation (OTT)," he revealed here on Saturday.

The official is a Commitment-making Official (PPK) for the social aid program of the ministry, Bahuri remarked.

"The PPK official allegedly received gifts from the vendors of PBJ (procurement of goods and services) in the COVID-19 handling program," he noted.

Bahuri affirmed that the suspect was detained at the KPK building, pending further investigation.

"Please give us time to work. The KPK will furnish further information later," he added.
Related news: Social Affairs official arrested over alleged COVID-19 aid fund misuse

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Translator: Desi Purnamawati/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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