Smelter Mangkrak In East Halmahera, Observers: Should Be Together, Build A Smelter Also Power Plant

Illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The construction project of ferronickel smelter in East Halmahera mangkrak. In fact, this ferronickel smelter project has reached 97.98 percent.

Center of Energy and Resources Indonesia (CERI) Executive Director Yusri Usman questioned the protracted process of pt Antam's ferronickel smelter development project in East Halmahera. He questioned the physical condition of the project, but the electricity was not connected.

"This must have been a fatal error in its planning and implementation. It should be together, build a smelter and build a power plant. This is a great disgrace for PT Antam," he said reported by djawanews, Monday, April 12.

If production can run, investment capital can be returned immediately. With the fact of the project delayed, Yusri suspects there was a mistake in the planning and implementation.

"It should be together, build a smelter also build a power plant. This is a big disgrace for PT Antam," yusri said.

As an information material, the electricity supply for the smelter has been tendered for the power plant procurement auction since 2017. Later, it was discovered that the tender process was convoluted. Everything was revealed based on a letter from PT PLN (Persero) sent to PT Aneka Tambang Tbk or Antam dated July 23, 2020.

The letter signed by Director of Commerce and Customer Management Bob Saril, PLN offers a price of Rp595.65 per kilo watt per hour (kwh). In August 2021, PLN promised a smelter already commercial operation date or COD.

Instead of responding to PLN, PT Antam instead opened a new tender. PT Antam also cooperates with third parties or private parties as procurement agents.

"There is no response of PT Antam replying to a letter from PT PLN showing synergy between red plate companies is not running. Synergy is limited to paper. It's just candy, the fact is it doesn't work on the field," he said.

Yusri became suspicious of the slowness of PT Antam replying to a letter from PT PLN. Yusri alluded to the contents of the letter related to PLN offering a price of Rp595.65 per kilo watt per hour (kwh).

"In the written letter about the price. PT Antam should have answered the letter from PT PLN. What price does the skill offer? If it's good, negotiate. Should argue with each other why the price per kwh is so. No need to linger in response to the letter," said Yusri.

"This is what is increasingly inviting suspicion. Why PT Antam cooperates with the private sector. I'm not accusing, but there's a public secret that with the private sector there's a deposit fee. I suspect that cooperating with the private sector is just a matter of cheating practices to take a fee. There's a deposit, there's a mark up. It can only be done with private parties," he said.

It would be strange if PT Antam re-tendered and the winner pocketed a price greater than pln offered.

"Moreover, if it turns out that the winner of the tender is more expensive proposed by PLN then there is definitely a mark up there. If that's the case, obviously there is an intention of evil deeds there," yusri said.

"Because the indications are strong, just take it (report, red) to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), love to the Deputy of Prevention," he said.