KPK to Review Report Against Luhut, Erick Thohir Over PCR Business

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday announced it will review the report filed by the Just and Prosperous People Party (Prima) against two government officials they allege are involved in the country’s PCR test business. 

The government officials Prima refers to are Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan and State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir. 

“Every report that we receive from the public will be followed up, verified and studied,” said KPK acting-spokesperson Ali Fikri in a written statement on November 4. 

The spokesperson explains that it will first verify the report’s legal standing and whether there is an aspect of corruption in the report. The anti-graft agency will follow up the report after it is confirmed it is in KPK’s authority. 

The political party’s deputy chairperson Alif Kamal on November 4 said; “In the middle of a public restlessness during a pandemic, the economy that has yet recovered, we hear there are officials in the PCR business.” 

The report, he added, is aimed to prevent the rumor from running wild without any substantial evidence and that the anti-graft agency could put this controversy to rest. 

In addressing the allegation, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan through his Instagram account responded to the Tempo article that he strongly denied his involvement.

“I have never, not even the least, personally benefited from the business run by PT Genomik Solidaritas Indonesia,” said the Minister on November 3. 

Read: 2 State Officials Reported to KPK Over PCR 'Funny Business'

ANDITA RAHMA