Riau Prosecutor's Office Investigate Allegations Of Corruption In The Construction Of Bird Parks In Siak

The dull buildings and nests of the Jauhari Bird Park are empty of visitors. (ANTARA/Bayu Agustari Adha)

PeKANBARU - Riau High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati Riau) is investigating allegations of corruption in the construction of the Jauhari Bird Park in Sungai Mempura Village, Mempura District, Siak Regency by calling a number of parties to clarify.

Head of the Legal Information Section (Kasipenkum) and Public Relations of the Riau Prosecutor's Office, Zikrullah confirmed the investigation of the case and is still in the clarification stage. One of those summoned was the sub-district head in Siak Ari Darmawan.

"Only clarification regarding public complaint reports," said Zikrullah in Pekanbaru, Antara, Friday, October 25.

The Jauhari Bird Park project is funded by the 2014 Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget worth IDR 1.79 billion. The project is planned to support ecotourism in Mempura District.

However, construction was hampered for two years and was colored by material losses with a net that had been installed and stolen by thieves. In 2017, the Siak Tourism Office again budgeted for the continuation of development with a budget value of IDR 1.2 billion.

At least Rp3 billion has been used for the construction. The garden building consists of 13 iron poles supporting nets and wall buildings for picket officers and toilets.

Ari Darmawan's summons became related to his position at that time as head of the destination sector at the Siak Tourism Office. Meanwhile, the Head of Dispar Siak at that time was Hendrisan, who is now Assistant II of the Regional Secretariat of Siak Regency.

Allegations of corruption have also been reported to the Siak Police, but there have been no significant developments. The Attorney General's Office has transferred this report to the Riau Prosecutor's Office for follow-up.