Former DPR RI Member and Deputy Speaker of Luwu Regency DPRD Detained in Luwu Irrigation Corruption Case

Investigators from the Special Crimes Directorate of the Luwu State Prosecutor’s Office (Kejari Luwu) have named and detained five suspects in the 2024 budget year case involving the Program Percepatan Peningkatan Tata Guna Air Irigasi (P3-TGAI) in Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi. One of the suspects is the Deputy Speaker of the Luwu Regency DPRD, while others include a former national official and several project managers. The detention, for 20 days, was confirmed by Luwu Chief Prosecutor Muhandas Ulimen after investigators secured at least two admissible pieces of evidence.

Suspects and roles: The five suspects come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from former central government officials to project managers. The case centres on the P3-TGAI program funded from the 2024 state budget. Investigators say the suspects orchestrated the cutting of grants to the Association of Water User Farmers (P3A), coercing group heads to hand over money as a commitment fee from the total disbursed amount.

According to investigators, MF ordered ARA to locate P3A groups with an upfront deposit of Rp25 million per group; in subsequent developments, coordination with Z, M, and AR raised the levy to Rp35 million per group. The total P3-TGAI budget for Luwu Regency was Rp34.2 billion, sourced from the 2024 APBN, with Rp225 million allocated per group. The alleged scheme could reduce the quality of irrigation works as funds intended for construction were diverted, causing potential losses to state finances and harm to farmers’ welfare in South Sulawesi.

The suspects are currently charged under Article 12(e) of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption, as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 20 of Indonesian KUHP.