Cabinet Secretary: Palace Respects Search at Ministry of Public Works

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya stated that the government fully respects the legal process related to the search carried out by law enforcement officials in the environment of the Ministry of Public Works (PU), including in the office of PU Minister Dody Hanggodo.

Teddy emphasised that the Palace will not obstruct the ongoing law enforcement process.

“Yes, please proceed with the search. It was last night, wasn’t it? And the night before, Minister PU happened to be at my place,” said Teddy at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Friday.

He said that the search was conducted by the Jakarta High Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday (9/4). Teddy also mentioned that the PU Minister had met with him before the search took place.

According to him, the government’s stance is in line with the directives of President Prabowo Subianto, who has repeatedly emphasised the importance of the supremacy of law without favouritism.

“So, the point is that we are open to the law, including the President often stating that anyone, if guilty and proven, should be examined accordingly, including entering and exiting, and yesterday the Ministry of PU was searched by the Jakarta High Prosecutor’s Office,” said Teddy.

Previously, PU Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that his office up to the office of Deputy Minister (Wamen) PU Diana Kusumastuti was searched by officials from the Jakarta High Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday (9/4).

“Oh yes (the Minister’s and Deputy Minister’s offices at PU were searched by Jakarta High Prosecutor’s Office officials). So, like this, I gave permission to the investigators to search all the rooms in the Ministry of PU,” said Dody during a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.

He emphasised that this step was taken to avoid any impression of selectivity, while also demonstrating the commitment of the entire Ministry of Public Works (PU Ministry) to be cooperative in facing the legal process.

Dody mentioned that the investigators were initially cautious about entering the minister’s room due to his position as the President’s aide, so he felt the need to first seek special permission from President Prabowo Subianto.

He then directly reported to President Prabowo regarding the plan to grant full access to the investigators to enter all rooms, including the minister’s office.