Finally, Jero's Turn

THE Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deserves praise for its determination to indict Jero Wacik. The energy and mineral resources minister faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail if he is found guilty under the extortion clause of Law No. 31/1999 on Corruption Eradication. Jero is also suspected of misusing his authority by extorting money from several people supplying energy. These illegal acts are thought to have cost the nation Rp9.9 billion.

Jero, who is also secretary of the Democrat Party Supreme Council, has long been suspected of involvement in corrupt activities within his own ministry. He has denied this on several occasions. For example he claimed to know nothing about the bribery within the Upstream Oil and Gas regulatory special task force (SKK Migas) involving its director, Rudi Rubiandini. However, this denial is difficult to believe because besides being the energy minister, Jero is also chairman of the SKK Migas Oversight Commission. And these suspicions were reinforced after the KPK investigated the involvement of Energy Ministry Secretary-General Waryono Karno, in the same case.