Jakarta Police's public relations division head, Senior Commissioner Endra Zulpan, said that the police will summon some parties in relation to the discovery of the rice packages, which were found buried in the parking lot.
"We will summon relevant parties, including from Bulog (State Logistics Board), the JNE, and the Social Affairs Ministry, as well as (study the) data that they promised to show us tomorrow (August 2, 2022),” Zulpan informed here on Monday.
The investigation will determine whether the buried rice packages constitute a criminal offense or corruption, which would trigger a follow-up investigation, he said.
"The police have set up the administration for investigating this case. If we find elements of criminal offense or corruption, we will continue the investigation process," the senior commissioner added.
He then appealed to residents to not worry over the discovery of the buried rice packages.
"Residents need not be concerned. The Jakarta Police and Depok Police will properly investigate this case to ensure that residents' questions are answered with evidence accountable to the law," Zulpan assured.
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Earlier, dozens of rice packages intended for social assistance were found buried in a plot of land in Sukmajaya, Depok, after the land owner's heir, Rudi Samin, excavated the plot using heavy equipment. He said that he will take legal action against the finding.
In response to the finding of the packages, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini said that the packages were buried before her tenure.
"It is not from my era because, during my tenure, Mr. President had instructed me, 'Risma, do not give goods as assistance,’" the minister said in a voice message received here on Monday.
She further said she heeded the President's instruction and has been distributing cash assistance since the start of her tenure. The presidential regulation allows social assistance to be distributed in the form of goods or cash, she added.
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Translator: Yogi Rachman, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
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