KPK Orders Task Force To Check Large Projects In Banjarnegara After Determining Budhi Sarwono As A Suspect

Gedung KPK (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Karyoto said he would order a task force (satgas) to monitor large projects in the Banjarnegara Regency Government.

This was done after the KPK named Banjarnegara Regent Budhi Sarwono as a suspect in allegations of corruption in the procurement of infrastructure projects.

According to Karyoto, the task force will later be tasked with checking whether all development projects in the district are always accompanied by levies that go into Budhi's pocket.

"Later, I will order the task force to look at large projects. How will the prototype be implemented," Karyoto said as quoted from a press conference on the Indonesian KPK YouTube, Monday, September 6.

If there is a levy in the project, the benefits to third parties are very unreasonable and this will have an impact on the quality of the infrastructure being worked on.

"So whether we look at the reduction in specs and others, we will look for one. We will sample one of the projects. If there is a big one, it's good we will see," said Karyoto.

He did not deny that at this time the task force at the deputy for prosecution was indeed overloaded with work because it was dealing with a number of other cases. Including cases of inheritance from the previous leadership or carry over.

However, he made sure his team would move quickly before the case was finally transferred to the corruption court.

"We also convey to our colleagues that each task force is overloaded with carry-overs and carry-overs. So, hopefully we are healthy and no one gets COVID again, so we can run faster," he said.

Previously reported, in this case, the Regent of Banjarnegara Budhi allegedly received a commitment fee of around Rp. 2.1 billion from various infrastructure projects in Banjarnegara Regency.

"The acceptance of a commitment fee of 10 percent by BS is carried out directly or through a KA intermediary," said KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri in a press conference broadcast on the Indonesian KPK YouTube, Friday, September 3.

The receipt of the money began when in September 2017, Budhi was inaugurated as the Regent of Banjarnegara. After being official, he ordered Kedy as his confidant to lead a coordination meeting attended by representatives of the construction service association in Banjarnegara Regency.

The meeting, said Firli, was held in a restaurant. At that time, as directed by Budhi, Kedy said that the project work package in Banjarnegara Regency would be relaxed by increasing the estimated price by 20 percent of the project's value.

In addition, companies that wish to obtain infrastructure procurement projects are required to provide tribute or a commitment fee of 10 percent of the project value.

After the first meeting, then another meeting was held at Budhi Sarwono's private house. At that time, representatives of the Gapensi Banjarnegara association were present and Budhi again conveyed what Kedy had said.

"Directly BS conveyed, among others, increasing HPS by 20 percent from the current price with a further distribution of 10 percent for BS as a commitment fee and 10 percent as partner profits," said Firli.

Not only asking for a fee commitment, Budhi was also named a suspect because he played an active role in the implementation of the infrastructure work auction. Firli said, the Banjarnegara Regent participated directly in distributing work packages at the PUPR Service, including family companies, and arranging the auction winners.

Meanwhile, Kedy is always monitored and directed by Budhi, especially when making arrangements for the division of work. This is intended so that companies that are members of the Bumi Redjo group can splash out on procurement projects.