Police invesigators questioned former Minister of Communication and Informatics, Budi Arie Setiadi, over online gambling allegations involving employees of the ministry, now renamed Ministry of Communication and Digital Application.

“Combating online gambling requires collective effort and cooperation from various parties. I am obligated to assist the police in resolving and eradicating online gambling cases within the Ministry of Communication and Digital Application,” Budi, who is now Minister of Cooperatives, said upon the questioning at the National Police’s Crime Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) in South Jakarta on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

He, however, declined to disclose the specifics of the inquiries made during the session.

“For details regarding my testimony, please refer to the investigators,” he said.

The ongoing investigation by the Special Crimes Directorate of the Jakarta Police is centered on the ministry employees, who were allegedly engaged in online gambling activities while Budi was still serving as Minister of Communication and Informatics in the Seventh President Joko Widodo’s cabinet.

Budi, who had previously expressed readiness to participate in the investigation, admitted that he was aware of the individuals involved.

Inspector General at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Application, Arief Tri Hardiyanto, recently terminated five contract employees at the ministry for failing to meet administrative requirements.

This action followed an audit ordered by Minister of Communication and Digital Application, Meutya V. Hafid, emphasizing strict adherence to administrative qualifications.

“The minister’s directive is clear − every employee must comply with administrative standards,” Arief said in a press statement on December 9, 2024.

Examination duration

While Budi claimed his examination lasted two hours, Jakarta Police spokesperson, Senior Commissioner Ade Ary Syam, reported that the questioning extended to six hours and included inquiries related to alleged bribery.