There Are Allegations Of Corruption In The Procurement Of Arowana Fish From The Kapuas Hulu Regional Budget

Super red arowana illustration at an exhibition. (Jessica Wuysang / Antara)

JAKARTA - The Kapuas Hulu Police Criminal Unit in West Kalimantan is investigating allegations of corruption in the procurement of Arowana fish using the Kapuas Hulu regional budget for the 2020 budget year.

"For now, we have examined dozens of companies and we have investigated and collected witnesses' statements", said the Head of the Kapuas Hulu Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Police Commissioner Adjutant (AKP) Rando in Putussibau, Kapuas Hulu Regency, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, September 10.

He stated that the issue was still at the stage of investigation into allegations of irregularities from the procurement of Arowana fish (Scleropages Formosus) which was intended for some community groups. Kapuas Hulu has long been known as one of the areas where the natural habitat of Arowana fish is located, especially the famous red Arowana.

According to him, in the Arowana fish procurement process it is suspected that there is a deviation from the budget provided by the department regarding the inappropriate fish procurement price.

"The indications are that the embezzlement of funds is suspected, but to be clearer after we have examined and collected witnesses' statements, the matter is still at the stage of an investigation", he said.

Based on data obtained, Arowana fish procurement is approximately IDR 4.5 billion, more than the General Allocation Fund for the 2020 fiscal year with the implementation of 51 procurement packages.

Regarding the alleged corruption in Arowana fish procurement, the head of the Kapuas Hulu Fisheries Service cannot be questioned. An officer at the agency who was met on Wednesday said that his superior was not there.