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Bawaslu passes buck on campaign funding probe
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A poll administrator participates in a 2024 voting day simulation at the Jombang Elections Commission (KPU Jombang) office in Jombang, East Java, on Dec. 19, 2023. The election organizer held a technical tutorial for poll workers ahead of voting day scheduled for Feb. 14, 2024. (Antara/Syaiful Arif)
Despite mounting pressure, the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has declined to launch an investigation into allegations that illicit funds have flowed into campaigns for the 2024 general election, claiming the matter is beyond its jurisdiction.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Bawaslu head Rahmat Bagja confirmed that the agency had received a letter from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) notifying it of the allegations, although he declined to elaborate on the letter’s contents.
“[What was written in] the letter is confidential. But we have told [the PPATK] that if there are any indications of election crimes, particularly in regard to campaign funds, we will forward [this information] to law enforcement authorities,” Rahmat said.
He claimed that the information in the PPATK letter did not hold any legal weight and could only be treated as preliminary information. He said it would be a “big issue” if such information was revealed to the public.
“Our memorandum of understanding with the PPATK is only for the PPATK to give us information specifically related to the use of campaign funds,” Rahmat added.
“Anything outside of that is not our jurisdiction, and that’s why we will forward [the information] to the Corruption Eradication Commission [KPK], the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office.”
Last week, PPATK head Ivan Yustiavandana revealed that the number of suspicious transactions the center had recorded had more than doubled after the official campaign period commenced on Nov. 28.
