Aceh High Prosecutor's Office Investigates Alleged Corruption In Bridge Construction Of IDR 1.8 Billion

Head of the Legal Information and Public Relations Section of the Aceh Attorney General's Office Munawal Hadi (ANTARA)

BANDA ACEH - Aceh High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati) is investigating the alleged corruption case for the construction of the Kuala Gigieng bridge, Simpang Tiga District, Pidie Regency. This development uses the 2018 Aceh Expenditure Budget (APBA) worth IDR 1.8 billion.

Head of the Legal Information and Public Relations Section of the Aceh High Prosecutor's Office, Munawal Hadi, said that the investigation of the case has been upgraded to the investigation stage.

"Case investigations are already at the investigation stage. However, investigators have yet to determine the suspect. Information from the investigator shows that there are more than two potential suspects", he said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, February 16.

Munawal said investigators had examined and asked for information from a number of parties, including budget user proxies, commitment makers, technical activity executing officials, partners, supervisory consultants, and other related parties.

"Investigating this case is the attention of the Aceh Prosecutor's Office. Investigators continue to work to collect information and evidence before determining the suspect", said Munawal.

As for the matter of state financial losses, investigators have asked experts from Syiah Kuala University to calculate the physical value of the bridge construction.

"From the calculation of the physical value, it will be known how much the state lost. So, investigators are still waiting for the results of the physical audit from the experts", he said.

The Kuala Gigieng Bridge in Gampong Gigieng, Simpang Tiga District, Pidie Regency, was built in three stages. The first phase was built in the 2017 fiscal year with the work of making two bridge foundations with a budget of IDR 1.4 billion.

The second phase in 2018 includes steel frame installation work with a budget of IDR 1.8 billion, and the third stage in 2019 includes casting and paving work with a budget of IDR 1.4 billion.

"What is being investigated is the steel frame installation work with a budget of up to IDR 1.8 billion. The project belongs to the provincial government", said Munawal.