The Minister of Communication and Informatics (Menkominfo), Johnny G Plate, was named a suspect in the Kominfo Base Transceiver Station (BTS) corruption case on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. This Nasdem Party politician was declared a suspect after the Attorney General's Office (Kejagung) questioned him three times.
The alleged corruption case involving Johnny relates to the 2020-2022 project for the provision of 4G BTS infrastructure and supporting infrastructure for packages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Bakti Kominfo. The Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) stated that state losses reached Rp8 trillion (approximately US$533 million) due to this case.
"Based on the results of the investigation, which we have evaluated today, we conclude that there is sufficient evidence that the person concerned is allegedly involved in the BTS construction corruption," said Kuntadi, Director of Investigation at the Attorney General's Office for Special Crimes, as quoted by Katadata.co.id on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
Eight locations were searched today. One of the search locations was Johnny's official residence and the Kominfo office. The Minister of Communication and Informatics will be detained for 20 days at the Salemba Detention Center, a branch of the Attorney General's Office.
Besides Johnny, the Attorney General's Office has also named five other suspects. These include AAL, the President Director of Bakti Ministry of Communication and Informatics; GMS, the President Director of PT Mora Telematika Indonesia; YS, a Human Development Expert at the University of Indonesia in 2020; MA, Account Director of Integrated Account Department at PT Huawei Tech Investment; and IH, Commissioner of PT Solitech Media Sinergy.
Johnny G Plate's Wealth
According to the State Officials' Wealth Report (LHKPN), Johnny G Plate last reported his assets on March 16, 2022, for the 2021 period. The Nasdem Party Secretary-General was recorded as having assets worth Rp191.23 billion (approximately US$12.75 million).
The majority of Johnny G Plate's assets consist of 46 land and building assets spread across Depok, Jakarta, Cilegon, and Manggarai, with a total value of Rp141.46 billion (approximately US$9.43 million).
Johnny G Plate also owns two vehicles, a 2013 Toyota Alphard Minibus and a 2013 Mitsubishi Colt Truck, with a total value of Rp460 million (approximately US$30,670).
In addition, the former President Director of PT Airasia Mitra Investama also has other movable assets worth Rp3.61 billion (approximately US$240,700), securities worth Rp4.11 billion (approximately US$274,000), and cash and cash equivalents worth Rp51.93 billion (approximately US$3.46 million).
The former member of the DPR (House of Representatives) also has recorded debts totaling Rp10.35 billion (approximately US$690,000). As a result, the total assets owned by Johnny G Plate amount to Rp191,236,409,092 (Rp191.23 billion).