Telecommunikasi Observer Sincerely Equipping Internet Equity Due To Alleged 4G BTS Corruption At The Ministry Of Communication And Information

The construction of telecommunications and internet infrastructure in Indonesia has become too late due to allegations of corruption. (photo: dock. Pixabay)

Telecom observer Heru Sutadi regretted the alleged corruption in the procurement of 4G BTS and supporting infrastructure at the Telecommunication and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) of the Ministry of Communication and Information (BAKTI Kemenkominfo) for the 2020-2022 period. Because according to Heru, the construction of telecommunications and internet infrastructure in Indonesia is too late due to the alleged corruption. "We are too late, we have to complete infrastructure development. In particular, equitable distribution of internet and telecommunication infrastructure in villages or known as Merdeka Signal or Merdeka Internet in 2020. It will be a fairly long delay in 2023," Heru said in his statement, Saturday, January 28. Heru revealed that the delay in the development of internet and telecommunications infrastructure has extended the gap in access in the community. As a result, he said, not all residents can experience this service even though the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) includes internet access, including its infrastructure, as one of the human rights (HAM). "We have more than 270 million people and now only around 204.7 million or maybe now it has increased to 210 million-215 million (which is). has internet access). So, there are still many who have not received internet services. Especially if we talk about equity, right, there is still an internet speed gap between cities and villages, western Indonesia and eastern Indonesia," he said. Based on data, Heru continued, there are around 12,548 villages in Indonesia that have not received broadband internet prior to the development of 4G BTS. The Executive Director of the Indonesia ICT Institute said, the existence of the internet and telecommunization has a vital role in maintaining the national economy during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2022. This is because the community can still be productive even though activities are carried out online. "If not (there is an internet and telecommunications), Indonesia has been devastated, recession is repeated. With the progress of the internet, digital infrastructure, we can still work even though online, we can continue to learn even though from home," he said. What else is the virus, but at least we are prepared. And on the other hand, digital-dependent transactions increase data, such as e-money to Rp400 T. This is, right, quite a big achievement, not to mention e-commerce, online transportation," added Heru. Heru added, the potential for the digital economy in Indonesia is relatively large. It is projected to reach more than US 120 billion dollars by 2025 and even Rp5,000 trillion by 2030. Therefore, he said, infrastructure development telecommunications and the internet are vital. "Don't expect us to benefit from the digital economy if the infrastructure is not good, if the infrastructure does not unite all of Indonesia, it is not spread evenly to villages," he stressed. If internet and telecommunication infrastructure development is disrupted, Heru assessed, it will open up opportunities for the international community to make fun of Indonesia. The reason is that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the G20 forum in Bali, November 2022 then lift the development of digital infrastructure in the country. "So, if we ourselves have problems in building a digital economy, the infrastructure is stagnant, this is a shame for Indonesia, here. It can be that Indonesia is among the G20 countries, in international associations, Indonesia is said to be just talking, yes, because it turns out that the development is still problematic, the internet still has gaps," he said. Previously, investigators from the Directorate of Investigation of the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) named another suspect in the alleged corruption case in the provision of 4G Base Transceiver Station (BTS) infrastructure and supporting infrastructure for packages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. "The one suspect is MA as the Account Director of Integrated Account of the Department of PT Huawei Tech Investment," said Head of the Legal Information Center of the Attorney General's Office, Ketut Sumedana, in a written statement on Tuesday night, January 24. The Supreme Court suspect was detained at the Salemba State Detention Center, the Attorney General's Office for 20 days starting from January 24 - February 12, 2023, to speed up the investigation process. The role of the Supreme Court in this case, namely as Account Director of PT Huawei Tech Investment, has violated the law of having an evil consensus with suspect AAL who had been named a suspect previously to condition the implementation of 4G BTS procurement at BAKTI Kominfo in such a way. "So when submitting a price offer, PT Huawei Tech Investment was named the winner," said Ketut. For information, AAL is the President Director of BAKTI Kominfo who was named a suspect on January 4, 2023. He was named a suspect along with two other people, namely GMS as the President Director of PT Mora Telematika Indonesia; and YS as the Expert Human Development (HUDEV) of the University of Indonesia. Article 3 jo. Article 18 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 2001 jo. Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Amendments to Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) 1 of the Criminal Code.