Jakarta. An executive from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has rejected the graft allegations leveled on Tuesday against the party's presidential nominee, Ganjar Pranowo, asserting that it is a political tactic aimed at suppressing his calls for an inquiry into suspected election fraud.

The non-governmental group Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) lodged a report with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), accusing Ganjar of receiving payments totaling Rp 100 billion from insurance companies during his tenure as the Central Java governor from 2014-23.

According to the complaint, these payments were intended as kickbacks to Bank Jateng, under provincial government management, in exchange for lucrative business agreements with the insurers. The funds were allegedly channeled to the bank's CEO, identified by the initials S, Ganjar, and several other individuals.

IPW Chairman Teguh Santoso said Ganjar received these payments as he represented the provincial government as a controlling shareholder in Bank Jateng. "The IPW today reported alleged bribes paid by insurance companies which provided insurance policies to Bank Jateng creditors," Teguh said.

He added that the kickback represented 16 percent of the premiums and was distributed to the Bank Jateng management, municipal leaders in the province, and Ganjar during his two terms as governor, accumulating at least Rp 100 billion from insurance companies, according to Teguh.

In response, PDI-P politician Chico Hakim labeled the IPW's move as politically motivated following the general elections. "We regard this as a mere political stunt, not a genuine law enforcement effort. Ganjar is the first person to call for a legislative inquiry [into suspected election fraud], and now there is a complaint filed against him," Chico said.

"In our assessment, numerous parties weren't happy with his stance and initiated a politically motivated move to report Bank Jateng while the actual target is Mr. Ganjar," he added.

Chico, also the spokesperson for Ganjar's presidential campaign, questioned IPW's credibility in bringing forth a case unrelated to the police functions the NGO is supposed to monitor.

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