IEP Persada's legal counsel claims Aceh BPSDM scholarship corruption involves rogue elements

The legal firm Margono–Ismawan & Co, acting on behalf of Yayasan IEP Persada Indonesia, has stated that the alleged criminal act of corruption in the scholarship programme at the Aceh Provincial Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM), which is being handled by the Aceh High Prosecutor’s Office, involves rogue elements. In a written statement received in Banda Aceh on Wednesday, the foundation’s legal counsel, Ricky K Margono, indicated that the alleged corruption involves BPSDM officials and a foundation staff member with initials ET. “We emphasise that the alleged scholarship corruption is the action of rogue elements,” he said. Ricky stated that his side supports the law enforcement process being carried out by the Aceh High Prosecutor’s Office in investigating the case. He mentioned that since ET was designated as a suspect, the foundation has conducted an internal examination and audit of the scholarship programme implementation. “The audit results found the opening of a bank account allegedly carried out by ET together with an individual with initials DD without the foundation’s knowledge,” he said. Additionally, the foundation was unaware of a bank account in the foundation’s name used in the scholarship programme. Ricky added that the results of the internal examination have been followed up with a report to the police regarding the alleged criminal act of document forgery. His side has also coordinated with the Aceh High Prosecutor’s Office to submit the internal audit results to support the investigation process. “This statement is issued as a right of reply to media reports related to the alleged corruption in the Aceh Provincial BPSDM scholarship programme,” he said.