PMO directives on company valuation channelled through Finance Ministry, court hears

A senior Finance Ministry officer told the court on Tuesday that any directives from the Prime Minister's Office regarding the company valuation were transmitted through official ministry channels rather than direct intervention. The testimony came during ongoing proceedings related to the assessment of Jana Wibawa, a contracting firm central to the case. According to the official's account, the PMO's involvement, if any, was limited to communications routed through the ministry, maintaining a clear separation between the executive office and the technical evaluation process. The Finance Ministry witness stated that the assessment panel operated independently in conducting its valuation and reaching conclusions about the contractor's standing. The clarification addresses concerns about potential political influence on what was meant to be an objective technical evaluation. The court is examining the circumstances surrounding Jana Wibawa's assessment as part of a broader inquiry into government procurement and company valuation procedures. The testimony underscores the ministry's assertion that established administrative protocols were followed throughout the evaluation process.