The Swelling High-speed Rail Project Of IDR 18.2 Trillion, Minister Of SOEs Asked Not To Be Associated With Allegations Of Corruption

Illustration of Fast Train (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir asked all parties not to associate the cost overrun or cost overrun of the Jakarta Bandung High Speed Rail (KCJB) project with allegations of corruption.

As is known, Indonesia-China has agreed on the cost overrun value or swelling the cost of the KCJB project, namely 1.2 billion US dollars or equivalent to Rp. 18.2 trillion (assuming an exchange rate of Rp. 15,207).

"But don't turn it around like this, it's as if this cost overrun has corruption," he said when met at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, February 13.

Erick explained that the swelling cost of the KCJB project could not be separated from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Remember, whatever happened during COVID-19, development must still be carried out. But it can't be maximized because the COVID-19 situation must have cost," he explained.

Furthermore, Erick said that at the beginning of COVID-19, the supply chain was disrupted. This condition, said Erick, made commodity prices increase.

"Then we also see when the COVID-19 supply chain of supply chains is very disturbed. What does that mean? High commodity prices include iron. There is a entry into the cost overrun component. Now, this is what is important so that friends assume that there is an issue of corruption," he said.

As previously reported, Deputy Minister of BUMN II Kartika Wirjoatmodjo said that Indonesia-China had agreed on the cost overrun value of the KCJB project, namely 1.2 billion US dollars.

However, Tiko, Kartika's nickname, said that this figure must be brought to the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) to be adjusted.

And we still have to go to BPKP to adjust the numbers and the committee. We will apply it in the next two months to knock the numbers. And we will process the addition to CDB (China Development Bank)," he said.

Tiko emphasized that the operational plan for the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Train (KCJB) was not disturbed by the problem of cost overruns or project cost overruns.

As is known, KCJB is targeted to operate in June 2023. Its construction continues to be accelerated so that the project can operate on schedule.

"This has been agreed, the progress of operations in the field is not disrupted, the track installation is carried out, the operation continues. So the project should not interfere, we can reduce the financing within the next month," he said.