{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1662720,
        "msgid": "low-quality-tender-for-ntt-red-belt-road-project-suspected-of-irregularities-1775609639",
        "date": "2026-04-08 07:00:00",
        "title": "Low Quality, Tender for NTT Red Belt Road Project Suspected of Irregularities",
        "author": "Hilda B Alexander",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Infrastructure",
        "summary": "The Anti-Corruption People's Alliance (ARAKSI) in East Nusa Tenggara has raised concerns over the Red Belt Road project, a strategic national initiative spanning border areas with Timor Leste, alleging irregularities in the tender process and substandard construction quality. Investigations suggest that winning companies PT Batara Jaya and PT Lince Maju Jaya are controlled by the same director, leading to monopolistic practices and poor workmanship, with damages reported in multiple segments despite ongoing maintenance periods. With a budget exceeding Rp 480 billion for 2023-2026, these issues highlight potential mismanagement of public funds in this vital connectivity project aimed at enhancing Indonesia's presence in the region.",
        "content": "<p>KUPANG, KOMPAS.com - The Chairman of the Anti-Corruption People\u2019s\nAlliance (ARAKSI) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Alfred Baun, has\nhighlighted issues in the implementation of the Red Belt Road\nconstruction project in the NTT border area with Timor Leste.<\/p>\n<p>The project is deemed problematic, both in terms of the tender\nprocess and the quality of on-site work.<\/p>\n<p>Alfred explained that the Red Belt Road is a strategic national\nprogramme initiated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo for the\n2023-2026 period.<\/p>\n<p>The project stretches across the Timor mainland, passing through\nKupang Regency, South Central Timor (TTS), North Central Timor (TTU),\nBelu, and Malaka, areas directly bordering Timor Leste.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis programme is highly strategic, not only for connectivity but\nalso for elevating the dignity of the Republic of Indonesia in the eyes\nof neighbouring countries,\u201d Alfred told Kompas.com on Tuesday\n(7\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>For the 2023-2026 period, the allocated budget exceeds Rp 480\nbillion.<\/p>\n<p>However, Alfred revealed that the project tender process is suspected\nof not following proper procedures.<\/p>\n<p>He mentioned that the two winning companies, PT Batara Jaya and PT\nLince Maju Jaya, are allegedly under the control of the same\ndirector.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrom our investigation results, there are indications of procedural\nerrors in the tender mechanism that have impacted the poor quality of\nphysical work on the ground,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>ARAKSI has recorded several damages at various project points. In the\nwestern sector, particularly on the Saenam to Haumeni Ana and Napan\nsegments, at least 14 damage points have been found that are considered\ndifficult to repair, even though the maintenance period is still ongoing\nuntil November 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, in the eastern sector, work on the Alas (Malaka Regency)\nto Haekesak (Belu Regency) segment is also delayed, even though the\nmaintenance contract period is scheduled to end in May 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Alfred also accused monopolistic practices by certain contractor\ngroups. He stated that state budget funds worth hundreds of billions of\nrupiah are suspected of flowing to one contractor group from Jakarta\nthrough several different companies, such as PT Batara Jaya, PT Lince\nMaju Jaya, and PT Sampoerna.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, he assessed that these companies do not have Asphalt\nMixing Plant (AMP) facilities or branch offices in the NTT region,\nparticularly on the Timor mainland.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/low-quality-tender-for-ntt-red-belt-road-project-suspected-of-irregularities-1775609639",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}