6 ASN in Pelalawan Riau Involved in Corruption in the Distribution of Subsidized Fertilizer of Rp34 Billion Detained by the District Attorney

JAKARTA - The Pelalawan District Attorney's Office (Kejari) in Riau Province has detained six state civil servants (ASN) who are agricultural consultants for allegedly being involved in corruption in the distribution of subsidized fertilizer which caused a loss of state funds of Rp. 34 billion.

The head of the Pelalawan District Attorney's Office, Siswanto, said the six people were each assigned to Bunut, Bandar Petalangan, and Pangkalan Kuras Districts. The six ASN were among the 15 people who had been named suspects by the Pelalawan District Attorney.

"The six of them are ZE, Y, SS, M, ERF and JH. They are advisors in the sub-district but also under the service," he said in a statement received in Pekanbaru, Wednesday, quoted by Antara.

He explained that the detention was carried out after the suspects underwent an intensive examination for approximately eight hours, Tuesday night, January 13. The suspects were immediately escorted and placed in the Pekanbaru Class I State Detention House (Rutan), Pekanbaru Class II Special Child Development Institution (LPKA), and Pekanbaru Class IIA Women's Penitentiary.

Furthermore, he revealed that the forms of irregularities that occurred included the distribution of fertilizers that were not in accordance with the provisions, were not targeted, and there were indications of the sale of fertilizers outside the official mechanism that had been established by the government.

This practice is considered very detrimental to farmers who should be the beneficiaries of subsidized fertilizers. Based on the results of the Riau Provincial Inspectorate audit, a state loss of Rp. 34 billion was found which came from the distribution of subsidized fertilizers in the three sub-districts.

He added that one suspect had not been detained due to health considerations.

"The person concerned is 63 years old and is currently undergoing a health examination," he explained.

For the role of the suspect for the Bandar Petalangan District, the initials Y and ZE as a consultant, and AS, EW, and JG as retailers. In Bunut District, the suspect with the initials SS and M plays the role of a consultant, while BM, AN, and A are retailers.

Meanwhile, in Pangkalan Kuras District, the suspects with initials ERF and SB as advisors, as well as YA, PS, and S as retailers. The suspects are charged with Article 603 and Article 604 of the National Criminal Code (KUHP) with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.