TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) again examined the former Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik on Thursday, July 30, 2015.

Jero will be examined as a suspect in a corruption case that caused state loss while he served as Minister of Culture and Tourism, between 2008 and 2011.

KPK Head of Public Affairs Priharsa Nugraha said Jero’s examination this time will be to explore the use of the minister’s operational fund (DOM). "Investigators will explore the source and designation of DOM," Priharsa said on Thursday.

Jero was last examined on this case at the end of June. On Thursday, in addition to examining Jero, the KPK also called two witnesses to testify in the same case. They are former Head of Finance Administration of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Luh Ayu Rusminingsih and Siti Alifah.

Jero is suspected of abusing authority while serving as Minister of Tourism and Culture between 2008 and 2011, causing state losses estimated to reach Rp 7 billion. He is suspected of violating Article 2, paragraph 1 or Article 3 of the Law on Corruption with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

In addition to the above case, Jero is also a suspected of alleged corruption in the form of extortion on a number of activities in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

KPK suspected Jero blackmailed to increase DOM by three methods, namely raising revenues from budgeted cost of procurement of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, requesting the collection of funds from certain program partners, as well as budgeting fictitious meetings. Total funds he allegedly received reached Rp 9.9 billion.

Jero had been detained by the KPK since May 5, 2015.

MOYANG KASIH DEWIMERDEKA