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Presidential social aid included in KPK’s latest investigation
The graft-ridden disbursement of social assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak, which is currently being investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), includes social aid disbursed by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, the antigraft body has confirmed.
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President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo (third left) talks with Presidential Secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono (left) during a food aid disbursement event at the State Palace in Jakarta on April 8, 2024. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
T
he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that among the social aid (Bansos) disbursements implicated in alleged corruption, which it is currently investigating, is one disbursed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The antigraft body previously revealed that it opened an investigation into alleged foul play in the procurement of food supplies to people badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Greater Jakarta in 2020. The program was under the Social Affairs Ministry, but dubbed “presidential Bansos” as it was initiated by the President.
"Among the aid programs we are currently investigating is the one disbursed by Bapak President to the people,” KPK spokesperson Tessa Mahadhika Sugiarto said on Friday, as quoted by kompas.com.
He added that suspects allegedly took advantage by picking cheaper, lower-quality food supplies, such as rice, cooking oil, biscuits and other ingredients, than those actually budgeted for. Such illicit acts, Tessa continued, betrayed the government and President Jokowi’s desire to help people during the hard times.
The KPK previously estimated the state losses incurred from the crime at around Rp 125 billion (US$7.6 million).
Read also: Govt lost billions in social aid distribution corruption scandal: KPK
The news about the investigation into alleged corruption around the presidential Bansos procurement made headlines on Wednesday.
