20 PUPR Ministry Officials Ensnared in KPK's Sting Operation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Inspector General of the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry Widiarto visited the anti-corruption agency KPK following a sting operation (OTT) which ensnared a number of PUPR Ministry officials on Friday, December 28.

According to Widiarto, PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono asked him to check to the KPK. “The Minister assigned me to come here to find out,” Widiarto told reporters.

However, he claimed that he had not received information from the KPK and was asked to wait until Saturday.

Widiarto said the case might be related to the procurement of goods and service at the level of working unit, not from echelon II officials. “At the executive level,” he said.

KPK deputy chairman Laode Muhammad Syarif said, form the sting operation, KPK investigators arrested 20 people. They are from the PUPR Ministry, from the officials and the Commitment Makers (PPK) of a number of projects. Some are also from the private sector and other parties.

“The team seized the initial evidence of Rp500 million and 25,000 Singapore dollars and one cardboard box containing money,” Laode said on Friday, December 28.

Laode explained that the case has something to do with drinking water supply project in a number of regions. “We are currently investigating the connection of drinking water supply system project for disaster assistance,” he said.

The KPK deputy chairman added that the legal status of the 20 people will be determined within a maximum of 24 hours.

“This (the sting operation) was a follow-up of public information about the provision of money to officials at the PUPR Ministry,” Laode said.

RYAN DWIKY ANGGRIAWAN