KPK targets Jero in latest graft case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is now turning its focus to Democratic Party politician and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik in its latest graft investigation, surrounding alleged irregularities at his office plaguing a number of state projects worth billions of rupiah.

Speaking after around six hours of questioning at the KPK on Wednesday, Jero acknowledged that KPK investigators had grilled him about the alleged misuse of state budget funds on a number of state projects at the ministry from 2010 to 2013.

However, Jero denied playing any role in the project irregularities, explaining that he only assumed the leadership of the ministry after the alleged graft took place.

“I explained to the KPK investigators that I knew nothing about the alleged irregularities because I became minister in October 2011,” Jero told reporters on Wednesday.

Jero was questioned after the KPK also questioned his wife, Triesna Wacik, in the same investigation on July 3.

Jero became angry when asked by a reporter whether the KPK had asked him whether Dharma Wanita, an organization of employees’ wives at the ministry, had enjoyed a portion of the money intended for the projects.

“What media outlet are you from? There is no question about it, and I want to emphasize that no such thing ever happened,” Jero said. “For other questions, you can ask the KPK investigators,” he added.

Before leaving the KPK headquarters, Jero said the KPK investigators had also asked him about his ministerial operational budget, but he refused to disclose any details.

“All ministers receive such budgets, not only the energy and mineral resources minister,” Jero said.

This latest investigation is the fourth that the KPK has launched since the first case emerged in August last year, when the commission arrested former Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas) head Rudi Rubiandini for accepting bribes from a number of oil and gas companies.