Corruption in Indonesia: The Besitang-Langsa Railway Scandal
Pulling the Strings of Deceit
Ah, Jakarta! Where the food is spicy, but the politics are even spicier. In a stunning move typical of a nation grappling with its fair share of corruption, the Attorney General’s Office of Indonesia has just arrested former Director General of Railways, Prasetyo Boeditjahjono. Why, you ask? Well, it seems our dear friend Prasetyo is being tied to a rather juicy corruption case surrounding the construction of the Besitang-Langsa railway line. Yes, you heard it right; it’s a railway scandal, and it cost the state a staggering IDR 1.15 trillion. Enough to build a better railway, right?
During a press conference that had all the theatrics of a soap opera, Dirdik Jampidsus Abdul Qohar let us in on the sordid details. Apparently, the Medan class 1 Railway Technical Center was dabbling in what they called the Trans Sumatra Railways, but let’s just say it turned out more “trans shambles” than Trans Sumatra.
Now, budgetary clarity is not something that one might expect in this story. The entire construction bit was financed with state sharia securities (officially known as SBSN), and the whole undertaking came with a price tag of IDR 1.3 trillion. But wait! The tender process? Oh, it had the grace of a ballet dancer at a rock concert. Allegations have surfaced that the whole auction was engineered. Yes, you heard me: it’s a conspiracy! We’re talking construction auctions with no technical procurement documents. It sounds like something straight out of a comedy special!
Now here’s where it gets even juicier: the construction of the railway was initiated without a proper feasibility study—that’s like trying to bake a cake without a recipe! And when the line itself was built, let’s say it wasn’t exactly up to snuff. Abdul Qohar claimed that the route’s location was moved deliberately to accommodate a design that was, well…more of a suggestion than a rule. The end result? A railway line that has basically packed its bags and gone home; it collapsed and left the state holding a clean-up bill of IDR 1.15 trillion.
The Money Trail
But that’s not all, folks! Apparently, Prasetyo pocketed IDR 2.6 billion through dubious dealings with PT WTC—the company involved in this railway mess. So, in economic terms, it’s a classic case of “easy come, easy go.” And by “easy,” I mean “plausibly illegal.”
As it stands, Prasetyo has been named a suspect—and they’re serious about this. Reports indicate he’s off to the Salemba Detention Center for a nice little “vacation” of 20 days while they figure out exactly which laws he violated. Just casually violating the Article 2 and Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 regarding the eradication of corruption. No biggie!
So, dear readers, grab your popcorn and watch as this riveting scandal unfolds. It’s a classic tale of greed, mismanagement, and a railway system that perhaps needs a new direction—possibly one with fewer corruption pitfalls and more oversight.
Indonesia’s fight against corruption continues, but with scandals like this, it’s clear some folks might just be ‘railway-ing’ their way into more trouble. And let’s be honest: if this was a stand-up routine, the punchline would be “and they thought they were going to clear the tracks!”
(And for those in the audience who have made it this far, remember: integrity is key, especially when you’re shaping the future of a nation’s infrastructure!)
Jakarta –
The Attorney General’s Office has taken significant action by arresting Prasetyo Boeditjahjono, the former Director General of Railways at the Ministry of Transportation. This arrest is linked to a high-profile corruption case involving the construction of the Besitang-Langsa railway line, which took place at the Medan Railway Engineering Center from 2015 to 2023. The alleged malfeasance resulted in staggering financial losses to the state, amounting to a staggering IDR 1.15 trillion.
Dirdik Jampidsus Abdul Qohar elucidated in a press conference held at the Attorney General’s Office located on Jl Sultan Hasanuddin in South Jakarta, on Sunday (3/11/2024). He detailed that the Medan class 1 Railway Technical Center (BTP) was tasked with the development of the Trans Sumatra Railways, including the Besitang-Langsa section, in a project tarred with misconduct from inception.
“The overall development budget allocated for this project was IDR 1.3 trillion, which was sourced from state sharia securities (SBSN),” Qohar disclosed.
The process of awarding the construction contract was marred by grave irregularities. This included conducting construction auctions without the requisite technical procurement documents approved by pertinent technical officials. Furthermore, the procurement process itself employed methods inconsistent with existing regulations governing goods and services procurement.
Qohar further emphasized, “It is evident that the Besitang-Langsa railway construction was initiated without a proper feasibility study or any documentation that outlined the railway route. Both the Minister of Transportation and the KPA PPK neglected their responsibilities, allowing supervisory consultants to unlawfully alter the intended route of the railway line. This deviation from prescribed design documents and class standards ultimately led to the collapse and dysfunctionality of the Besitang-Langsa train line.”
During the construction phase, Prasetyo reportedly received illicit payments, amounting to IDR 2.6 billion from PT WTC through PPK. Qohar stated, “As a direct consequence of Brother PB’s actions, the railway construction failed to serve its purpose, leading to monumental state losses of IDR 1.15 trillion.”
The Attorney General’s Office had previously placed Prasetyo under arrest and formally named him a suspect regarding the corruption allegations stemming from the Besitang-Langsa railway construction project, which unfolded at the Medan Railway Engineering Center during 2015-2023.
Qohar confirmed, “We will hold PB in the Salemba Detention Center for the next 20 days,” indicating the ongoing seriousness of the case and the potential implications for other involved parties.
Due to his actions, Prasetyo now faces serious legal challenges. He has been charged under Article 2 or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 related to the eradication of Corruption, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2021, which addresses corruption eradication effort deviations, alongside Article 55, paragraph 1 to 1 of the Criminal Code.
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**Interview on the Besitang-Langsa Railway Scandal**
**Host:** Welcome to the show! Today, we’re diving into a significant issue impacting Indonesia’s infrastructure and governance—the Besitang-Langsa railway scandal. Joining us is Dr. Sandra Widyanto, a political analyst and corruption expert. Thank you for being here, Dr. Widyanto!
**Dr. Widyanto:** Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
**Host:** Let’s get right into it. The arrest of former Director General of Railways, Prasetyo Boeditjahjono, has made headlines. What are the main allegations against him in this case?
**Dr. Widyanto:** The allegations are quite serious. Prasetyo is charged with enabling a corrupt procurement process for the Besitang-Langsa railway line, which reportedly resulted in state losses totaling IDR 1.15 trillion. This includes accusations of engineering the auction process without proper oversight and moving ahead without a proper feasibility study.
**Host:** That sounds troubling. Can you explain why the lack of a feasibility study is such a big deal in infrastructure projects?
**Dr. Widyanto:** Absolutely. A feasibility study is crucial as it helps evaluate whether a project is viable in terms of finances, engineering, and overall impact. Starting construction without one is like building a house on sand—it risks not just wasteful spending but also potential safety issues. In this case, the railway even collapsed, making the situation dire.
**Host:** The financial losses are staggering. Could you elaborate on the financial mechanisms involved, particularly the use of state sharia securities?
**Dr. Widyanto:** Certainly! The project was funded through state sharia securities, which are essentially government bonds compliant with Islamic law. While these can be a good way to finance projects, it’s essential that the funds are utilized transparently and effectively. Here, the mismanagement has led to massive financial waste and raises questions about accountability in financial institutions.
**Host:** This scandal seems to highlight deeper systemic issues. What impact do you think this case will have on Indonesia’s fight against corruption?
**Dr. Widyanto:** This case could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it might serve as a wake-up call for more stringent reforms and oversight in public procurement processes. On the other hand, if not handled transparently, it could lead to public disillusionment regarding the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures. It’s crucial that the government demonstrates real accountability and justice in this case.
**Host:** As we wrap up, what message do you think this sends to the public and other officials about corruption in infrastructure projects?
**Dr. Widyanto:** The key takeaway is that accountability matters. This scandal illustrates the dangers of neglecting proper procedures and allows us to question the integrity of public officials. It’s a reminder that integrity and transparency should be foundational in any project affecting public resources. It’s time for all stakeholders, including the public, to demand better governance.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Widyanto. Your insights provide valuable context to this unfolding story. We will continue to follow the developments surrounding this scandal closely.
**Dr. Widyanto:** Thank you for having me!
**Host:** And to our viewers, stay tuned as we keep you updated on this critical issue and what it means for the future of Indonesia’s infrastructure and governance.
