PMPT Padang Pariaman Official Arrested For Kakao Machine Corruption Case

Suspect ZRA in the corruption case in the procurement of cocoa machines at the IKM Chocolate Center in 2 x 11 Kayu Tanam District, Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, is being held at the Pariaman Police Station. ANTARA/HO-Kejari Pariaman

PADANG - The District Attorney's Office (Kejari) of Pariaman City, West Sumatra, has detained an official in Padang Pariaman Regency with the initials ZRA on suspicion of corruption in the procurement of cocoa machines for the Chocolate Small and Medium Industry Center (IKM) in 2 x 11 Kayu Tanam District.

"On Monday (2/10) we have detained ZRA, who is an official at the Integrated Service Investment and Industry Office of Padang Pariaman Regency," said Head of Intelligence at the Pariaman Kejari Safarman, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 3.

The suspect was detained in connection with the case of procuring cocoa machines at the IKM center in Kayu Taman in 2021 which was based on the calculation of the Supreme Audit and Development Agency which cost the state around Rp542 million.

The loss arose, he said, because ZRA decided to pay the down payment for the purchase of a number of cocoa machines. However, the machine purchased through the partner never arrived.

Prior to the detention of ZRA, his party had detained the cocoa production machine procurement partner with the initials JS on Wednesday (27/9).

"There are two suspects in the alleged corruption case in the procurement of cocoa machines to date. Both of them were placed in the Pariaman Police detention," he said.

Safarman revealed that the two people were named suspects after his party had sufficient evidence and examined a number of witnesses from various parties related to the procurement of the cocoa machine.

The Prosecutor's Office is still investigating the case so that it does not rule out the possibility of other suspects.

The alleged corruption case began to be handled by the Pariaman Kejari in early 2022. At that time it was still in the investigation process, then entered the investigation stage in 2023.

Since the case was investigated by the Pariaman Kejari, the suspect has no good intentions to return the state losses due to the case.