NTB Police Investigate Allegations Of Misappropriation Of BUMD Capital Participation In SPAM Project

The NTB Police Ditreskrimsus Photo-Building Archives. (ANTARA/Dhimas B.P.)

The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional Police are investigating allegations of misappropriation in the government's capital participation in PT Gerbang NTB Emas (GNE) as a regional-owned enterprise (BUMD) that organizes a regional drinking water supply (SPAM) system project in 2019-2022.

The Head of Public Relations of the NTB Police, Kombes Arman Asmara Syarifuddin, confirmed the police's efforts from the NTB Police's Special Criminal Investigation Sub-Directorate (Sub-Directorate) III Team (Reskrimsus) in tracing the alleged fraud.

"Yes, that's right. Now the team from the Criminal Investigation Sub-Directorate is collecting data and information," said Arman as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, May 5.

From the handling of this case, it was also revealed that there was a letter of request for clarification from the police to the Head of the Legal Bureau of the NTB Provincial Secretariat (Setda). Request for clarification is scheduled for Tuesday (2/5).

Regarding the agenda, Arman was reluctant to give a response, but he ensured that in handling this, it was possible that the police would ask for clarification from those who knew and were involved in the capital investment process.

Likewise with the issue of state losses, Arman was reluctant to respond to this because the handling of this case only entered the early stages of the investigation.

NTB Governor Zulkieflimansyah officially appointed PT GNE as the implementer of regional SPAM in accordance with the issuance of the NTB Governor Regulation (Pergub) Number: 500-560.

Following up on the governor's regulation, PT GNE carried out two methods of project implementation. First, the SPAM Regional Project Se-Lombok Island which will be held through the government's cooperation process with business entities (KPBU).

Second, business to business "with the method "Sea Water Reverse Osmosis" (SWRO) to support the availability of clean water in areas that are difficult to reach by the PDAM network.

In 2019, it was recorded that PT GNE signed a memorandum of understanding in cooperation with foreign investors, namely McKinley Investment, which is a joint investor from three countries (United States, Korea and Japan).

Dalam kesepakatan yang berlangsung di Thailand tersebut, McKinley Investment menyetujui investasi awal dalam penyediaan air bersih tersebut senilai Rp600 miliar.

Furthermore, PT GNE at the end of January 2020 was also recorded as signing a memorandum of understanding in cooperation with PT Potum Mundi Infranusantara (Potum). The investment value of the cooperation was approved with a figure of IDR 2 trillion.

In the signing, PT Potum acted as the company that built the SPAM infrastructure. Meanwhile, PT GNE as the management party.

This collaboration includes providing systems for water services in North Lombok and Mataram City as well as strategic areas in 3 Gili (Trawangan, Air, and Meno) and Senggigi. In addition, Potum will also support the provision of water systems for services for the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK).

From the signing of the cooperation, the Governor of NTB and a number of regional officials were also present to witness.

Furthermore, there is cooperation between PT GNE and PT Berkat Air Laut (BAL) in providing clean water in Gili Trawangan and Meno. However, the government in December 2022 officially revoked the permit because the provision of clean water by PT GNE in collaboration with PT BAL came from groundwater.

In addition, the government is considering the existence of PDAM Amerta Dayan Gunung belonging to the North Lombok Regency Government which manages SPAM in the tourist area.

In managing clean water in the Gili Trawangan and Meno tourist areas, PDAM Amerta Dayan Gunung established KBPU with PT Tiara Citra Nirwana (TCN). The clean water processing was also carried out using the SWRO system.

The operation of PT TCN in the tourist area has been strengthened by the issuance of a permit from the NTB One Stop Integrated Licensing Investment Service (DPMPTSP).