"I hope this official response will have official follow-up processes, which can exonerate me and (restore) the trust given by President Jokowi (Joko Widodo) and the public," he said after the questioning here.
The minister arrived at the Special Crimes Unit's Round Building in the AGO Complex here on Monday at 01.00 p.m. local time. He was questioned for two hours before appearing before the media.
Ariotedjo said that he was summoned to provide an explanation regarding the allegation that he had received funds in the base transceiver station corruption case at the Ministry of Communication and Information.
He emphasized that he had clarified all aspects regarding the accusation to the investigators.
"This is related to the accusation that I received Rp27 billion (US$1.809 million), and I have explained everything I know and experience. For the detail, let the authority explain," the minister said.
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Ariotedjo further said that he wanted to clarify the accusation promptly after it surfaced. However, he could not do that sooner as he was on a working visit to Germany and, after returning, the investigators were not active during the Eid al-Adha holiday period.
There was also a moral obligation to clarify the accusation, he added.
"I received the mandate from President Jokowi to be his minister, and I also have a family, which compelled me to clarify all these and to restore the public trust in me," Ariotedjo stated.
He affirmed that he is ready to fight to restore the public trust in him as a government official.
"I promise to fight to restore our image and the public trust, which today might be a question mark, but I understand and accept that fully. What is important is that we continue our hard work for youth and sports to the future," the minister remarked.
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Translator: Fath Putra Mulya, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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