Energy Minister Allegedly Received Rp9.9 Billion in Extortion Case

Jakarta (Antara) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday named Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik a suspect in an extortion case where he received Rp9.9 billion, KPK Deputy Chairman Bambang Widjojanto stated here on Wednesday. "He is believed to have misused his position as minister to extort money worth Rp9.9 billion from various sources," noted Bambang. According to the anti-graft body's investigation, Jero is believed to have ordered his staff to raise additional funds for the minister's operational costs. Jero's staff then carried out fictitious activities, which were funded by sponsors from private parties. "Some of the activities are fictive," Bambang claimed. However, he declined to divulge further details regarding which private parties had transferred their funds to Jero, the member of the ruling Democrat Party, and his staff. "We are not in the position to give details about this case now. But what we know is that Jero started raising funds during the period between 2011 and 2012, when he was first appointed as the energy and mineral resources minister," Bambang stated. (*)