The Social Affairs Ministry revealed that as much as Rp 95 million (US$6,600) of the budget for the Family Hope Program (PKH) in Sunter Jaya subdistrict in North Jakarta might have been embezzled.

Minister Idrus Marham said the money was allegedly embezzled by a social worker, identified only as E, who was supposed to assist beneficiary families of the aid

“We’ve investigated and found evidence that E misused his position and embezzled money that was meant to be disbursed to beneficiary families,” Idrus said on Wednesday, as quoted by kompas.com.

According to Idrus, E had been removed from his position and the ministry would bring the case to the court, arguing that what E did was a crime. He allegedly caused 37 beneficiary families to suffer losses.

“I’ve instructed [the ministry’s] legal bureau and the Association of State-Owned Banks to file the report together,” he said.

Idrus went on to claim that he had fired 11 other counselors for allegedly committing embezzlement, as he had “zero tolerance on embezzlement of the people’s money.” (vla)