Bengkalis Prosecutor's Office Targets Allegations Of Corruption In The Management Of Shrimp Ponds

The Bengkalis Kejari Team investigated shrimp ponds in forest areas suspected of corruption. (ANTARA/HO-Kejari Bengkalis)

The Bengkalis District Attorney (Kejari), Riau, is investigating allegations of corruption in the management of shrimp ponds in forest areas.

Head of Section (Kasi) of Bengkalis Kejari Intelligence, Resky Pradhana Romli, said the case had the potential to harm state finances with a fairly large value.

"Within 18 days of investigation by collecting materials, data and information, the investigative team believes that there are criminal cases in the activities that take place within 2020-2024. Therefore, the prosecutor's team agreed to increase the status of the case to the investigation stage," he said in a statement received in Bengkalis, Antara, Tuesday, October 15.

The Bengkalis Kejari is the first law enforcement officer (APH) to handle corruption cases in the fisheries sector, especially shrimp ponds.

"One step more, if the evidence is sufficient, we will determine the suspect in this case," he said.

One by one the witnesses have been summoned for questioning. The Investigative Team has also conducted examinations at several points where shrimp ponds are brought in forestry experts and environmental experts.

"In conducting field checks, it was found that business actors carried out business activities in forest areas by clearing mangrove forests on the beach and carrying out businesses without permission from the authorities," said Resky.

Not only that, he continued, it is suspected that the waste from the business results was not processed properly.

"Criminal ponds built on the seafront can pose environmental and health hazards. This environmental damage can cause a decrease in water quality, affect marine biota life, and damage natural habitats, thus disrupting the economy of people who depend on marine resources," he said.

According to him, until now the investigation process is still ongoing and the value of state losses is still calculated by external auditors.

"How will the results be, we will reach the public. However, our predictions are that the value is quite fantastic," he said.