Ex-KPK, Who Became The National Police Corruption Task Force, Flies To Simalungun To Check PEN Funds That Have Not Been Disbursed

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The Special Task Force for the Prevention of Corruption Crimes (Tipikor) at the National Police Headquarters is directly monitoring the plan to use the National Economic Recovery (PEN) funds in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra, to prevent corruption.

The National Police Headquarters Corruption Prevention Task Force Team is Hotman Tambunan and consists of A. Damanik, Andi Rachman, and Yudi Purnomo Harahap. The team has coordinated, checked, and monitored the use of PEN funds in Simalungun Regency since last Wednesday, June 29.

"The team's arrival aims to check why there has been no disbursement of PEN funds, even though Simalungun Regency has signed a contract since December 2021. Are there any obstacles in fulfilling these requirements?" Hotman said in a written statement received in Jakarta, Thursday, June 30.

The Simalungun Regency Government borrowed PEN funds of Rp. 300 billion from PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI) for the construction of road and irrigation infrastructure in the area. The contract for the loan of funds has been signed, he added, but the funds have not yet been disbursed because there are conditions that have not been met.

It is planned that the funds will be used to finance 62 development projects, ranging from consulting services, road repairs, to irrigation repairs with varying values.

During the monitoring, the National Police Headquarters Corruption Prevention Task Force Team met with Simalungun Regent Radiapoh Hasiholan Sinaga and his staff.

Hotman said that as a result of coordination with the Regent and the Simalungun Regency Government, the Task Force Team would communicate with PT SMI and related parties regarding the obstacles faced.

In addition, the Task Force Team also checked directly into the field on several places where development would be carried out using PEN funds.

"The goal is to directly see the condition," he added, quoted from Antara.

Meanwhile, Satgasus member A. Damanik said that the team is tasked with preventing corruption if the Simalungun Regency Government gets PEN funds.

Therefore, he said, the team reminded that the procurement process and the management of PEN funds must comply with procedures and that no party should interfere with the activities financed by these funds.

"Because this is important for development in the Simalungun area," said the former head of the KPK Investigation Task Force.

Damanik also shared his experience in handling various cases in North Sumatra, ranging from bribery cases, hand arrest operations (OTT), to cases of loss to the state involving the governor of North Sumatra, DPRD members, to a number of mayors and regents in North Sumatra.

He hopes that this incident will not happen again, especially in the use of PEN funds in Simalungun Regency.

In line with Damanik, Yudi Purnomo Harahap said that the arrival of the National Police Headquarters Corruption Prevention Task Force Team was based on the order of the National Police Chief General Pol. Listyo Sigit Prabowo because the National Police have been mandated to supervise and support the national economic recovery program (PEN).

The former chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Employee Association emphasized that the National Police Chief prioritizes the monitoring of PEN funds, which is a national program, so that no party should be involved in corruption in the management of these funds.

Yudi also said the team had coordinated with the North Sumatra Police Chief so that later the supervision of PEN funds in North Sumatra would be properly monitored.

"Besides Simalungun, other areas that use PEN funds are also monitored, so it is hoped that no funds will be corrupted and the national economy can recover," said Yudi.