Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), on Monday, questioned the former secretary general of the Ministry of Health, Oscar Primadi, as a witness in the alleged corruption case in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The alleged corruption practice occurred at the ministry's Health Crisis Center in 2020.

In addition, the commission investigated President Commissioner of PT Permana Putra Mandiri Siti Fatimah Az Zahra as witness in a similar case.

"Both witnesses are present," KPK's head of the publication department, Ali Fikri, stated on Monday.

However, he did not furnish further details regarding information gathered by investigators during the investigation.

Earlier, on November 9, 2023, the KPK announced that it had started an investigation into the alleged corruption case in the procurement of PPE at the Ministry of Health.

Information about the investigation was confirmed by KPK Deputy Chairman Alexander Marwata during a press conference at the KPK's office in South Jakarta.

"We have named suspects in the PPE procurement case. We have also signed the investigation warrant," Marwata remarked at that time.

Related news: State losses in PPE corruption case reach billions of rupiah: KPK

The corruption case is suspected to have occurred in the 2020 PPE procurement project at the Ministry of Health's Crisis Center.

While announcing the start of the investigation, Marwata did not yet make an announcement on the suspects. Meanwhile, the value of the PPE procurement project at the Ministry of Health reached Rp3.03 trillion (US$191 million) for five million sets of PPE.

The KPK regrets that large funds provided by the government to protect public safety and health during the COVID-19 pandemic were misused through corrupt practices.

As the investigation process of the alleged corruption case continues, KPK investigators have summoned and examined several witnesses, including the Commitment Making Officer (PPK) of the 2020 Health Crisis Center at the Ministry of Health, Budy Silvana; Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Financial Bureau, Tavip Joko; and advocate Admiral Herdi Pratama.

These witnesses were summoned and questioned regarding the alleged flow of money related to the PPE procurement at the Health Ministry to various related parties, including parties named as suspects in the case.

Translator: Fianda Sjofjan R, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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