Jokowi Confronts Prabowo to Bring Proof on State Budget Leakage

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi confronted his rival, president candidate number 02, Prabowo Subianto, to proof the latter’s statement on the 25-percent leakage from the state budget. Jokowi suggested Prabowo report the findings to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

“If [the state budget] leaks up to 25 percent, just report it to the KPK. That’s a huge fund,” said Jokowi after attending National Imlek Celebration in JIExpo, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Thursday, February 7.

Read: Prabowo Camp Criticize Jokowi`s Rushed Development Programs

Earlier, Prabowo said that 25 percent of the country’s budget was corrupted following massive markups committed by a group of people. The state budget could potentially lose up to Rp500 trillion from Rp2,000 trillion.

Jokowi recalled Prabowo’s statement back in the previous presidential election in 2014. The former commander of special forces said that there was a leakage of state budget worth Rp7,200 trillion.

“Remember in 2014, he said that [the state budget] leaks up to Rp7,200 trillion. Now [he said] 25 percent which means Rp500 trillion. That’s a huge fund,” Jokowi added.

Jokowi further demanded the chairman of Gerindra Party not to speak carelessly about the state budget. “File a report to the KPK by bringing evidence and facts.”

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI | FAJAR PEBRIANTO