Kadin asked to fight fake tender papers

JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Governor Tb. M. Rais urged the Jakarta Chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and related associations to help fight against fake documents for city tenders.

"The city administration could not control all developers participating in tenders for the construction of projects owned by city institutions or city-owned companies," said Rais, who is in charge of the city's economic and development affairs.

Rais asked for held following the discovery of many fake documents owned by contractors joining the tenders.

Harun Al Rasyid, the acting chairman of the city's pre- qualification committee, said earlier that 40 fake identities have been confiscated through a number of tenders for the construction of various projects.

The fake identities deal mainly with the provision of a number of services, including contract work, consultation, goods procurement and other services.

When asked about the next step by city administration to prevent this problem from happening again, Rais said his office will take action against the delinquent contractors in stages.

"The city administration is currently considering the possibility of giving licenses only to companies who are recommended by Kadin or other associations," Rais said.

He also said the city administration will implement firmer regulation in the project tender process and urged Kadin to help control them.

"Kadin should be responsible for any activities done by its members and give them better services. Don't just use their membership as a kind of symbol," Rais said.

Well organized

According to Harun, who is also the City Secretary, the 40 fake identities were confiscated by the committee in separate opportunities through legal channels.

He said the syndicate running these fake documents is well organized, as can be seen from the way the falsification is done.

He pointed out that this syndicate can properly counterfeit the original form for recommended contractors along with the serial number, officers' signatures and the official stamp of the committee.

Harun quoted one of the suspects as saying the syndicate has forged at least 1,000 forms.

Commenting on the fact that there are many brokers who hang around City Hall offering false document processing, Rais simply said he appreciated the public's readiness in giving such information. His subordinates will correct the problem, he promised.

Hundreds of people, holding company licenses, hang around City Hall every day and there is every indication they act as brokers for the processing of the fake certifications.

Many people have said the applicants refused to apply through the committee because of the complicated procedures and bureaucracy involved, which only wasted their time and money.

The pre-qualification committee has learned that the tariff for arranging the completion of documents through brokers or middlemen was set from Rp 2 million (US$915) to Rp 10 million per contractor, far higher than those under legal procedures. (yns)