Minister for Communications Johnny G. Plate Arrested for Alleged Corruption

Ditahan Kejagung, Menkominfo Johnny G. Plate Huni Rutan Salemba — Minister for Communications and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, is arrested by the Attorney General office on Wednesday (17/5/2023). Photo: Liputan6.com/Faizal Fanani)

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Minister for Communications and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, was arrested on Wednesday by the Attorney General. Plate is allegedly involved in telecommunication infrastructures corruptions.

The corruption was allegedly taking place in 2020 to 2022.

On Wednesday morning, Plate was summoned as a witness by the Attorney General office. But he walked out wearing the pink vest of the arrestee with his hands handcuffed.

"Investigator has elevated the status of the related person to be the suspect, and next there will be incarceration for the following 20 days in Salemba jail house, branch of the Attorney General," said Kuntadi, the Investigation Director of Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes.

The Attorney General has also raided the official residence and office of Plate.

Plate is the fifth minister from President Joko Widodo's cabinet who is involved in a corruption case. Previously, the former Minister for Social Affairs Juliari Batubara was arrested for corruption during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Political Season

The arrest of Plate took place during the sensitive political season.

Plate is a member of National Democratic Party (Nasdem), a member of Widodo's coalition which is set to oppose the president's coalition in the next election.

Nasdem is championing the former Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan as the presidential candidate.

The Head of Nasdem Party, Surya Paloh, said that he will accept the situation if President Widodo is going to reshuffle the cabinet after Plate's arrest.

"That is the president's prerogative rights," said Paloh in a press conference at the NasDem Tower.

Furthermore, Surya Paloh said he respects the legal process against Plate, but he also hopes there is no political intervention in Plate's case.

The Attorney General office has also rejected the notion that Plate's arrest is political.

Jonathan Pandapotan Purba, Muhammad Radityo Priyasmoro, and Nila Chrisna Yulika contributed to this report.