Ministry of Social Affairs Support and Give Full Access to the Legal Process at the KPK

JAKARTA (6 December 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs is deeply concerned about the legal process currently taking place at the KPK and ensures that the Ministry will fully cooperate and open access to information needed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Hartono Laras explained that this effort was related to the steps taken by the KPK as a number of people, including one of the officials at the Ministry of Social Affairs caught in the act of bribery by KPK. The KPK had also assigned several suspects.

"This is to show our seriousness and support in the efforts to eradicate corruption," Hartono told reporters at the Ministry of Social Affairs, today.

Hartono admitted that he was concerned and very devastated that this happened in the midst of the Ministry of Social Affairs continuous hard work to carry out duties and mandates, especially in distributing social aid in the COVID-19 pandemic.

"For the past 9 months, we have tirelessly ensured social aid is distributed quickly, on target and adheres to the principle of accountability," added Hartono.

"Since the beginning we have asked APIP (Government Internal Supervisory Apparatus), the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, BPKP (Financial and Development Supervisory Agency), and law enforcement officials to provide assistance and escort the management of social aid budget. The law enforcement officials are the National Police, the Attorney General's Office, including the KPK. This is because we manage a large budget, "he said.

Furthermore, Hartono emphasized that he would continue to work hard to complete both regular programs and special programs from the remaining time of the 2020 fiscal year as well as preparing for the implementation of the 2021 programs starting in January 2021.

"Currently, the total budget of the Ministry of Social Affairs is IDR 134.008 trillion with more than 97.2% realization as of December 6, 2020 or the highest of 85 Ministries and Institutions. This is what we need to continue to monitor," he continued.

Meanwhile, the total budget included in the social protection program scheme, both regular and non-regular (special), reached IDR 128.78 trillion. The budget realization is also more than 98%.