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KPK to look into Rp 90 billion from state budget allegedly spent on influencers
Last week, graft watchdog Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) revealed that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo's administration had spent at least Rp 90.4 billion from the state budget on digital activities involving social media influencers since 2017.
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(Shutterstock/keport)
T
he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said it would look into allegations that state funds of more than Rp 90 billion (US$6 million) were allocated to pay influencers to promote government policies on social media.
“We will look closely to ensure whether such a budget exists or not,” KPK deputy chairman Nawawi Pomolango said on Sunday as quoted by Tempo.
Nawawi added that the KPK could further investigate the case if any potential crimes were found in the state budget allocation.
Last week, graft watchdog Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) revealed that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo's administration had spent at least Rp 90.4 billion from the state budget on digital activities involving social media influencers since 2017.
Among the documents found by the antigraft watchdog was the 2019 public school enrollment promotion involving Indonesian actresses Gritte Agatha and Ayushita, which cost Rp 114 million.
However, presidential staffer Donny Gahral Adian defended the government, saying the Rp 90 billion was not only allocated to influencers.
“The Rp 90 billion was a budget for public relations. It was used for many purposes including public service advertisements through printed and audiovisual media,” he said on Friday. “So it was not exclusively for influencers.” (trn)
