TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ali Fikri, head of publication at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), firmly stated that the process of investigating corruption cases at the Ministry of Manpower has nothing to do with the ongoing political process. The KPK is currently investigating allegations of corruption in the procurement of the 2012 Indonesian Migrant Worker (TKI) protection system.

"The team has carried out a search, meaning there is an ongoing investigation. We have looked into [this case] since long before there were issues with the political process. This has nothing to do with the political issues," Ali Fikri said when met at the KPK building on Monday, September 4.

He asserted that the investigation into the case at the Ministry of Manpower was carried out long before the 2024 presidential and vice presidential candidates started taking place. Ali ensured that the KPK had already begun investigating the case a year ago.

Ali said the KPK wishes for no one to create narratives by linking the KPK's performance to the political process. "We understand that this is a political year. We hope that the KPK is not dragged into ongoing political issues," he said.

Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar—also known as Cak Imin—is suspected of being involved in a suspected corruption case during the procurement of the TKI protection system in 2012. At that time, Muhaimin was the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration.

On Friday, September 1, the KPK's director of investigations and acting deputy for Enforcement and Execution, Asep Guntur, said that there was a possibility that all officials who served at that year would be summoned and questioned.

"Every official serving within that time frame will be asked to provide statements. Why? Because we want to obtain as clear information as possible. We will ask for information from everyone involved," he said.

AKHMAD RIYADH

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