KPK Facilitates Controlling PLN Assets To Realize Bright Papua

Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Nurul Ghufron during a coordination meeting with PLN and the West Papua Provincial Government, in Manokwari. ANTARA/HO- Public Relations of KPK RI

SORONG - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) facilitates controlling PLN's land assets in the provinces of Papua and West Papua to realize the ideals of the Bright Papua program.

Deputy Chairman of the KPK Nurul Ghufron said he would coordinate three related agencies, namely the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/BPN, PT PLN (Persero), and the Provincial Governments of Papua and West Papua in controlling assets.

Ghufron said, there are several things that must be coordinated with ATR/BPN to certify land. The two PLNs whose assets must be ensured are not threatened or disturbed. All in order to realize the Bright Papua program.

Ghufron explained, the legal aspect of PLN's land assets must be a point of concern both from a business and juridical perspective. Do not let the land that has been controlled by PLN and built an electric substation later in a dispute, thus harming PLN and hindering the Bright Papua program.

On that basis, through the coordination forum that has been carried out in Manokwari, the KPK hopes that the three related parties are open to each other about the problems they are facing and seek joint solutions for the success of the Bright Papua program.

All related parties, said Ghufron, must be involved and jointly resolve the problem in the right way, comply with customary procedures, and comply with administrative procedures.

Meanwhile, PT PLN Persero's Maluku-Papua Regional Development Business Director Adi Priyanto separately explained that the Bright Papua program was PLN's effort to support the government's program to accelerate the Electricity Village Ratio (RDB) and Electrification Ratio (RE) of 100 percent nationally, especially in the Province of Papua and West Papua.

This program is implemented to electrify as many as 433 villages in Papua and West Papua in accordance with Village Data Permendagri No. 72 of 2019. The Papua Terang program is implemented through various schemes according to the conditions of the area to be electrified, namely the expansion of the distribution network, the construction of PV mini-grid, the construction of a hybrid PLTD, the construction of SPEEL in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

"Currently, there are still 7 district capitals in Papua Province that do not have electricity. Now the process of taking over the operation of the electricity system by PLN," said Adi, quoted by Antara, Friday, June 10.

On that basis, PLN hopes for support from local governments and related stakeholders. Such as providing land for the village electricity program, participating in the management of SPEL and APDAL, assistance for new connection costs for the poor, and support for security guarantees.

"We expect active communication to be able to complete targets, especially for Papua and West Papua to achieve the maximum electrification ratio," he said.

West Papua Regional Secretary, Nataniel Mandacan thanked PLN for helping to bring electricity to remote areas of West Papua. Also giving appreciation because PLN has made a free electricity assistance program for underprivileged families in remote Papua.

According to him, electricity is an important point in life. With the presence of electricity throughout Papua, it will make life easier. Starting from development, tourism, business or business actors, and most importantly for access to children's education. Easy access to education will create the nation's next generation.

"We hope that PLN will continue to electrify villages up to 100 percent of all villages in Papua and West Papua," said Nataniel.

He added that asset rescue is one of the focuses of the KPK's work through the Deputy for Coordination and Supervision. This is an effort to save potential state financial losses arising from disputes or the use of state/regional assets by other parties in ways that violate the law.