TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Rida Mulyana, the renewable energy director general at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM), had undergone a one-hour probe at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Rida was probed as a witness for Jero Wacik and was questioned about the testimony he provided when he was probed as a witness for the former ESDM’s Secretary General Waryono Karyo.
Rida had been questioned as a witness for Waryono on May 12 and June 3, 2014. Rida explained that he was given additional questions in relation to his acquaintance and professional relationship with Jero.
"[KPK asked] questions about my role and its relation with JW [Jero Wacik]," Rida said.
Therefore, Rida said he was not aware about the blackmail allegation or fictitious meetings held by Jero to pool money from the ministry's budget.
"I don’t want to defend the minister. He never asked me anything," Rida said.
The KPK named Jero Wacik a suspect in a graft case at the ESDM Ministry that potentially has caused a state loss of Rp9.9 billion (US$825,000). Jero Wacik was also accused of extortion, asking for higher operational fund than it was supposed to be. Resources told Tempo that the money was used to finance his political imaging and to watch Olympic games in London with his family.
LINDA TRIANITA
