KPK examines fuel surcharge case

JAKARTA: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) summoned on Monday officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs to seek information about a controversial ministerial circular, which imposed a Rp 50 surcharge for every liter of subsidized kerosene purchased by the public.

Three officials from the ministry handed over related documents during a meeting with KPK chairman Taufikurrahman Ruki and other KPK officials, ministry spokesman Andreas Tarwanto said.

But he said that it was not an investigation as the KPK was only collecting preliminary data following a complaint from the public about the circular, issued by the minister in October to raise funds for supervising kerosene distribution.

The House of Representatives had demanded the ministry drop the circular, saying that the fund raising was "illegal" because it was not included in the state budget and could thereby be prone to abuse. The ministry has decided to drop the policy starting next year. -- JP