Jampidsus Has Been Asked To Investigate Alleged Corruption in Papua's Special Autonomy Fund

The Attorney General's Office (Kejakgung) admitted that they had been asked by the Ministry of Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polhukam) to conduct an investigation into allegations of corruption in the use of special autonomy funds (Otsus) in Papua and Aceh Provinces. Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Ali Mukartono said his institution is ready to disclose allegations of irregularities in the use of special budgets in the provinces with special labels.

"We have been contacted by the Ministry of Law and Security. That's the point, if there is an assignment, get ready," said Ali when he was met at the Special Crimes Building (Pidsus) at the Attorney General's Office (Kejakgung), in Jakarta.

Ali explained that the duties referred to by the Polhukam were related to the Special Autonomy fund. "The point is, the special autonomy funds were ordered to pay attention. Both in Papua and in Aceh," he explained.

Ali said that it was not only the Attorney General's Office who was asked to start investigating the alleged irregularities in the special autonomy funds in the two provinces. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and Bareskrim Polri, were also asked for the same investigation. Ali said there was a possibility that a coordinating team of three law enforcement agencies would also carry out the investigation. However, technically, said Ali, until now, it has not been concrete.

"The possibility is like that (the coordination team), but I can't confirm it yet. Wait for the task from him (Menko Polhukam). However, after being reviewed (delivered), later there will be assignments. I think so," said Ali.

Ali said Jampidsus, there is no definite data regarding the alleged deviation of Special Autonomy funds in Papua and Aceh. "What kind of data, we'll wait for him (Menko Polhukam)," he explained.

Allegations of corruption in the use of Papua's Special Autonomy funds were revealed at the National Police's leadership meeting (Rapim), Wednesday (17/2). Karo Analyst Intelligence and Security at National Police Headquarters, Brigadier General Achmad Kartiko, revealed that the deviation in Papua's Special Autonomy funds reached Rp 2 trillion. Kartiko explained that the deviation was found in a report by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

"The BPK finding found that there was waste, ineffective use of the budget," said Kartiko.

Kartiko said based on the BPK's findings, it was said that there was a practice of enriching oneself in the form of inflating the expenditure budget taken from the special autonomy fund. Also fictitious payments.

"Mark up (inflating) in the procurement of labor, electricity and solar power. Then fictitious payments in the construction of PLTA (Hydro Power Plant)," said Kartiko.

He explained, in the fictitious payment for hydropower development, it was found that the use of special autonomy funds in the manipulation project was around Rp. 9.67 billion. "There were also funds misappropriation (otsus) amounting to more than Rp 1.8 trillion," said Kartiko.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahmud MD, also responded to the alleged corruption of the special autonomy funds, on Monday (22/2). In front of the delegates from the Forum for Regional Heads of Tanah Tabi and Sairei (Forkada) Papua and West Papua, Mahfud emphasized that he would investigate the suspicion of irregularities in the special autonomy funds.

"Regarding law enforcement, I always listen to dialogue, with the community and Papuan leaders. Therefore, we will follow up, we will gather the Attorney General's Office, the Corruption Eradication Commission and the National Police to follow up on law enforcement," Mahfud said.

Source: https://www.republika.co.id/berita/qp1h3i354/jampidsus-sudah-diminta-usut-dugaan-korupsi-dana-otsus-papua