We anticipate that the analysis results will be announced shortly, maybe this week.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has concluded its internal review of Kaesang Pangarep's clarification regarding allegations of gratification over his use of a private jet for a trip to the US.

The anti-graft body's spokesperson, Tessa Mahardhika, announced at the agency's headquarters in South Jakarta on Tuesday that a leadership meeting had discussed the findings of the analysis.

While a decision has been reached, the KPK is currently finalizing the administrative process before publicly disclosing the outcome.

Mahardhika acknowledged the public's keen interest in a timely resolution of the matter and expressed the hope that an announcement would be made within the week.

"We anticipate that the analysis results will be announced shortly, maybe this week. We understand the public's desire for a swift conclusion to this case," he stated.

As the youngest son of President Joko Widodo, Kaesang faced significant public scrutiny on social media after using a private jet to travel to the US with his wife Erina Gudono during a period of widespread protests against the House of Representatives' attempts to amend the regional law election in August this year.

The protests led to Kaesang's exit from the gubernatorial elections.

Netizens, particularly on social media platforms such as X, discussed the possibility of gratification after seeing Gudono's posts about the private jet's interiors and her lavish trip on her Instagram account.

Prior to her US trip, she announced that she had received a scholarship to study social policy at the University of Pennsylvania.

However, some Indonesians sent letters to the university, questioning the legitimacy of her scholarship given her privileged background.

Consequently, Kaesang was reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) by Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) coordinator Boyamin Saiman and Jakarta State University (UNJ) lecturer Ubaidilah Badrun.

Under public pressure, Kaesang on September 17, 2024, "voluntarily" approached the anti-graft body to explain his use of the private jet and address allegations of gratification.

"I clarified that on my trip on August 18 (2024) to the United States, I hitched a ride on a friend's plane," Kaesang, who is also the chairperson of Indonesia Solidarity Party (PSI), said.

However, he declined to provide further details about the trip, requesting that inquiries about it be directed to the KPK.

"For more information, please contact the KPK directly," Kaesang, who co-owns football club Persis Solo, said. Free Fire, developed by Singaporean online gaming company Garena, is one of the club's sponsors.

Earlier this month, Kaesang's brother-in-law, Bobby Nasution, who is the mayor of Medan, North Sumatra, was also reported to the KPK for allegedly accepting the use of a private jet.

Bobby reportedly made the jet for trips in February 2023.

Meanwhile, KPK chairperson Nawawi Pomolango said that the agency has the authority to investigate Kaesang in connection with the alleged gratification.

"We must consider Kaesang's relationship with the government and his family," he said after a working meeting with Commission III of the House of Representatives at the Senayan parliamentary complex in Jakarta.

Pomolango emphasized that Kaesang cannot solely be viewed as an ordinary person.

"It's not that simple," he said.

"The public is aware of Kaesang's connections. Therefore, it's essential to consider these relationships in relation to potential gratification. The KPK has the authority to address such matters," he added.

He dismissed the notion that Kaesang's status as a non-public official shields him from being questioned about the alleged gratification, adding that influence peddling, a form of corruption, could be involved in the case.

Related news: Kaesang's private jet use highlights need for transparency
Related news: MAKI applauds Kaesang's 'private jet' clarification to anti-graft body










Reporter: Fianda Sjofjan Rassat, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2024