JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has today (September 3) named Jero Wacik, minister of Energy & Mineral Resources (ESDM), as graft suspect related to several procurement projects in the ESDM Ministry.

KPK has been also asking the Immigration Office to ban Jero Wacik, one of key leaders from President SBY’s Democratic Party,  from overseas travel.

Media earlier reported Jero has been accused for blackmailing and receiving cash money from, for example, state-run oil & gas company PT Pertamina related to the holiday bonuses, known locally as tunjangan hari raya (THR), to members and leaders of the House of Representatives (DPR) Energy Commission VII.

Previously, former Pertamina CEO Karen Agustiawan, on her minutes of investigation, ever mentioned a request of money by both Jero and Waryono for the holiday bonuses (THR) to be delivered to members and leaders of the House Commission VII. But later Karen said she had made a correction over her testimonies given in KPK’s minutes of investigation.

KPK has questioned Jero Wacik as witness on July 16 on the suspicion related to several procurement projects in the ESDM Ministry since 2010.

KPK has also questioned Jero’s wife Triesnawati Jero Wacik in relation to suspicious flow of funds from the ESDM Ministry to several community organizations.

Other than that, KPK has also questioned Jero as witness related to investigation into graft scandals at the powerful Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Body (SKK Migas) and the ESDM Ministry. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)