By: Lukman Putra )*
The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to eradicating corruption in State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), including PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). Quick steps have been taken by tightening supervision and fully supporting the legal process against various allegations of financial irregularities within PLN.
Currently, the National Police’s Corruption Eradication Corps (Kortastipidkor) is investigating an alleged corruption case at PLN that is suspected of causing state losses of up to trillions of rupiah. One of the main cases being investigated is the Steam Power Plant (PLTU) project in West Kalimantan, which has stalled since 2016. Based on the results of the investigation, this project has resulted in state losses of up to IDR 1.2 trillion.
The Deputy Chief of the National Police’s Kortastipidkor, Brigadier General Arief Adiharsa, said that the investigation is still in its early stages. A number of PLN Central officials have been summoned for questioning, while two other cases related to PLN are also being investigated. However, his party has not provided further details regarding the progress of the investigation. The government ensures that the legal process will be carried out transparently so that there are no loopholes for the parties involved to avoid accountability.
In the case of the West Kalimantan PLTU, it is known that this project began with an auction process in 2008. The KSO BRN consortium emerged as the winner even though it was suspected of not meeting the administrative and technical requirements. The project contract worth USD 80 million and IDR 507 billion was signed in 2009 by the President Director of PT BRN, RR, and the President Director of PLN at that time, FM. Unfortunately, this project did not run as it should and was eventually transferred to a company from China. Until now, the project has been abandoned without providing benefits to the community or the country.
PLN Independent Commissioner, Andi Arief, emphasized that PLN will remain cooperative in undergoing the investigation process. He stated that in the past few years, PLN has shown good performance by making large profits and continuing to improve services to the community. According to him, this achievement should be the basis for the public to continue to trust PLN.
In addition to the West Kalimantan PLTU case, the government is also taking action against another corruption case involving Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from PLN for the 2021-2023 period in Kepahiang Regency. This alleged corruption has entered the trial stage with the defendant Agung Yudha Prawira, who acted as the mentor and chairman of the Kepahiang BUMN Creative House.
Based on the indictment submitted by the Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Kepahiang District Attorney’s Office, Rezeki Akbar Fernando, the defendant is suspected of having managed PLN’s CSR funds fictitiously, causing state losses of IDR 403 million. The mode used was to channel CSR funds for MSME programs through the BUMN Creative House, but in practice, these activities were not realized as they should have been. The accountability report stated that the budget had been used according to plan, but the results of the investigation showed that many programs were not running or even did not exist at all. Until now, the state losses due to this case have not been returned.
In addition, the Islamic Youth Movement (GPI) also highlighted the alleged corruption case at PLN. GPI spokesperson, Bung Hayum, emphasized that the legal process must be carried out transparently so that the public does not feel disappointed. He emphasized that this case should not be handled behind closed doors because it will create public distrust in efforts to eradicate corruption in Indonesia.
The government emphasized that cases like this should not be allowed to happen again. By strengthening supervision and transparency in the management of BUMN funds, corrupt practices can be prevented early on. The government also continues to encourage law enforcement agencies to act quickly and firmly in handling every case of alleged corruption that arises.
The public is also expected to participate in supervising the management of public funds, especially in state-owned companies that have a strategic role in national development. Public support for efforts to eradicate corruption is very important to ensure that state funds are truly used for the welfare of the people.
The government’s quick steps in handling the corruption case at PLN show its seriousness in creating clean and accountable governance. With strict supervision and a transparent legal process, it is hoped that similar cases will not occur again in the future.
Efforts to deal with corruption are also in line with the government’s vision in strengthening the electricity sector as the main pillar of development. PLN as a national electricity provider must be able to operate with high integrity, without being overshadowed by corruption scandals that can harm the country and society. The government also continues to be committed toensure that every project run by PLN truly benefits the people and does not become an arena for financial irregularities.
With the government’s seriousness in taking firm action against corruption cases at PLN, it is hoped that the image of this BUMN can be maintained as a professional institution that is oriented towards the public interest. The government also emphasized that there will be no tolerance for anyone who is proven to have committed corruption, either in the electricity sector or other sectors.
Through the steps that have been taken, the government is optimistic that the eradication of corruption at PLN will be increasingly effective. By strengthening the supervision system, transparent law enforcement, and community involvement, the government is confident that BUMN will be increasingly clean from corrupt practices and can carry out its functions better.
)* Public Policy Observer
