West Sumatra Prosecutor's Office Investigate Allegations Of Corruption In The Practice Of SMK Students

Assistant for Special Crimes at the West Sumatra Prosecutor's Office, Hadiman. BETWEEN Fathul Abdi

The West Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati) is investigating a case of alleged corruption in the procurement of practical equipment for Middle School (SMK) students whose procurement is at the West Sumatra Provincial Education Office for the 2021 fiscal year.

"It is true that we are investigating the alleged corruption case, currently the process is at the level of investigation," said Assistant for Special Crimes at the West Sumatra Attorney General's Office Hadiman in Padang as reported by ANTARA, Monday, October 16.

He said the investigation of the case began when the prosecutor's office received a report from the public about the alleged price inflation (markup) in the procurement project.

"Reports from the public then we followed up by conducting an investigation until the case was finally raised to the investigation stage," he explained.

The alleged problematic procurement was carried out by the Provincial Education Office at the provincial level in 2021 with a total budget of Rp. 18 billion.

In the project, there were four activities, namely the procurement of main practice equipment for students in the maritime sector (Nautikal fishing vessels and agribusiness for freshwater fisheries).

Then the procurement of primary practice equipment for food and horticultural vocational school students, agricultural and poultry product management.

The third is the procurement of main practice equipment for vocational school students in the automotive sector (motomotive light vehicle technique, welding technique, and electrical power installation technique)

Finally, the procurement of main practice goods for vocational students in the tourism sector (hotels, beauty, skin and hair, boga and fashion management).

In investigating the case, the West Sumatra Prosecutor's Office of Investigators team has so far examined 25 witnesses.

The witnesses consisted of various backgrounds, namely the power of budget users, technical implementing officials of activities, treasurers, school principals, ULP, distributors, and project partners.

The West Sumatra Prosecutor's Office will investigate the case thoroughly, especially considering that the case is related to the education budget.