The Prosecutor's Office Detains Former Chairperson Of Central Kalimantan PAUD National Accreditation Agency For Allegedly Involved In Corruption

The Central Kalimantan prosecutor's office together with the suspect ARD arrived at the Class II A Prison in Palangka Raya, Tuesday, November 16 (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Palangka Raya District Prosecutor's Office detained ARD as the former chairman of the National Accreditation Board for Early Childhood Education and Non-Formal Education (BAN PAUD and PNF) in Central Kalimantan for allegedly being involved in corruption.

As reported by Antara, Thursday, November 18, the Head of the Central Kalimantan High Prosecutor's Office, Iman Wijaya, through the Head of Penkum, Dodik Mahendra, in Palangka Raya, Thursday, confirmed that the suspect ARD was being held at Class II A Prison in Palangka Raya for the next 20 days until December 5, 2021.

Dodik explained that ARD was suspected of committing a criminal act of corruption (tipikor) of irregularities in the management of operational assistance funds for the implementation of the Accreditation of Early Childhood and Non-Formal Education in Central Kalimantan Province for the 2019 Fiscal Year.

The operational assistance funds came from the Ministry of Education and Culture's Balitbang Balitbang DIPA for the 2019 Fiscal Year. When the suspect ARD was the Head of BAN PAUD and PNF received assistance of Rp4.2 billion.

Based on the Central Kalimantan BPKP audit, there was a state financial loss of Rp522,295.494. The act of harming the state is carried out by the suspect by making fictitious items.

"Before being detained, ARD was first designated as a suspect with Sprint Number: Print-01/O.2.10/Fd.1/11/2021 on November 16, 2021," said Dodik.

The determination of the suspect ARD was carried out after the existence of two sufficient pieces of evidence and the suspect's confession when audited by BPKP. In this case, the Prosecutor's Office has examined 22 witnesses, including the head of BP-PAUD and officials at the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Dodik said that his party is still investigating the involvement of other people and officials in Central Kalimantan. Because for the accountability of these funds directly to the ministry, not the regions.

To account for his actions, suspect ARD is suspected of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 18 (paragraph) 1 letter b of Law No. 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law No. 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law No. 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption.

Subsidiary to Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption, which has been amended and added to by Law no. 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law No. 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption, which carries a maximum imprisonment of life.

"During the detention process for prisoners at the Class II-A Prison in Palangka Raya, it went smoothly, was conducive, and strictly observed health protocols," said Dodik.