Former South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin Has Become A Suspect In The Cinde Market Corruption Case

Former Governor of South Sumatra (Sumsel) Alex Noerdin (ANTARA)

The South Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati Sumsel) has officially named four suspects in the alleged corruption case of the revitalization of Cinde Market, Palembang. One of the suspects is the former Governor of South Sumatra, Alex Noerdin. This determination was made after the investigation process which began in 2023.

"The investigative team has examined 74 witnesses and collected sufficient evidence in accordance with Article 184 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Procedure Code. So, four people have been named as suspects," said Assistant for Special Crimes (Aspidsus) of the South Sumatra Attorney General's Office, Umaryadi, accompanied by the Head of the South Sumatra Attorney General's Office, Vanny Yulia Eka Sari, in a press conference quoted by ANTARA.

Apart from Alex Noerdin, the other three suspects are Edi Hermanto, who is currently serving a sentence in another case and serves as Chairman of the Procurement Committee for Cooperation Partners Bangun Guna Serah (BGS), shotin Tando as Director of PT Magna Beatum, and Rainmar, Branch Head of PT Magna Beatum.

The four suspects were charged with Article 2 Paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001, and Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code. In addition, they are also subject to Article 3 subsidiary Articles in conjunction with Article 18 and/or Article 13 of the same law.

Aspidsus Umaryadi explained that the modus operandi of this case stems from the plan to utilize assets belonging to the South Sumatra Provincial Government for the construction of supporting facilities for the 2018 Asian Games. Cinde Market was chosen as a development location with the BGS scheme.

However, in its implementation, the procurement process did not run according to the provisions. BGS partners did not meet the qualifications, and the signed cooperation contract was not in accordance with the regulations. This resulted in the loss of the Cinde Market cultural heritage building and the emergence of alleged flow of funds from partners to related officials for the reduction of Land and Building Rights Obtainment Customs (BPHTB).

"Evidence was also found in the form of conversations in cellphones that led to allegations of efforts to obstruct the investigation process, such as people who are willing to 'install a body' with around Rp. 17 billion in compensation and efforts to find a replacement for the suspect," said Umaryadi.

Investigators, he said, did not rule out the possibility that they would ensnare the suspects with additional articles related to obstruction of justice.

Currently, investigators are still investigating the evidence and it is possible that there is a new suspect. Further legal steps will also be taken immediately to strengthen the investigation process.

The alleged corruption case of Cinde Market has emerged since 2023, has been on hiatus in 2024, and will be active again in 2025. A number of witnesses have been examined, including former Mayor of Palembang Harnojoyo, former Head of the South Sumatra Perkim Service Basyarudin, and former Head of BPN Palembang Edison, who now serves as Regent of Muara Enim.

In addition to examining witnesses, the investigative team has also searched and confiscated documents from a number of offices, including the South Sumatra Perkim Service, Palembang City Government, South Sumatra Provincial Government, Bapenda, BPKAD, Archives building, and project partner offices.