Indonesia Corruption Watch Asks The KPK To Investigate Other Cases That Dragged Nurdin Abdullah

South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was asked to investigate other cases, which could ensnare South Sulawesi, Governor Nurdin Abdullah.

This needs to be done because the Former Mayor of Bantaeng was once said to have used his authority to grant Environmental Impact Analysis (Amdal) permits to 2 sand mining companies.

"Nurdin has been said to have used his authority in providing Amdal to 2 sand mining companies, namely PT Banteng Laut Indonesia and PT Nugraha East Indonesia. Nurdin is suspected of pressuring his subordinates to make it easy for the company to obtain Amdal", said ICW (Indonesia Corruption Watch) researcher Egi Primayogha in a written statement on Monday, March 1st.

Not only that, this case also shows the importance of monitoring infrastructure development projects as a whole.

This is because this could result in the emergence of wider corrupt practices, distributing concessions to the impact on the communities around the infrastructure project.

Also, the appointment of Nurdin as a suspect should be an entry point for the KPK to investigate several matters such as tracing the flow of funds from bribes received by the PDI Party cadre.

"The KPK needs to trace this matter to prove whether there are other parties who enjoy the money, either individuals or organizations such as political parties. If proven, then these parties deserve to be charged with it", he said.

Tracing certain parties, including parties, is important. Given, the political costs in election contestation in Indonesia tend to be expensive and make regional head candidates often receive assistance from businessmen.

This is what causes reciprocation from elected candidates to entrepreneurs and leads to corrupt practices.

Furthermore, Egi regretted that Nurdin was appointed as the recipient of bribes and gratuities related to infrastructure projects. Moreover, he has been known as a clean and innovative figure and has even been awarded the Bung Hatta Anti-Corruption Award (BHACA) when serving as Regent of Bantaeng and the title of compliance with public service standards from the Indonesian Ombudsman.

"From this case, we can learn that public scrutiny should not be weakened when there is a figure known to be clean and innovative in the position of the public official. Public officials have great authority so that the potential for fraud is always wide open", said the anti-corruption activist.

Previously reported, Nurdin Abdullah was named a suspect in the case of alleged bribery and gratification related to the procurement of goods and services, licensing, and infrastructure development in the South Sulawesi Provincial Government for the 2020-2021 Budget Year.

Nurdin was named a suspect with the Secretary of the PUPR (Ministry of Public Works and Housing) Office of South Sulawesi Province, Edy Rahmat. Meanwhile, the Director of PT Agung Perdana Bulukumba (APB) Agung Sucipto was named a suspect in giving bribes.

Nurdin is suspected of accepting bribes and gratuities with a total value of IDR 5.4 billion related to projects within the South Sulawesi Provincial Government.

Also, Nurdin is suspected of accepting a bribe of IDR 2 billion from Agung through Edy. The bribe was given so that Agung could return to work on the project in South Sulawesi for the 2021 budget year.