KPK Says Corruption in Goods and Services Procurement Can Lower Development Quality

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has said that corrupt practices in government procurement of goods and services can lead to lower-quality development outcomes received by the public.

Corruption in procurement can occur when the goods or services delivered do not match the specifications or quality set out in the original contract.

This was conveyed by KPK Deputy Chairman Ibnu Basuki Widodo at the launch of the Anti-Corruption and Corruption Prevention Training Programme (AKPK) in Government Procurement of Goods and Services (PBJP).

“What should be number one quality is delivered as number four quality. Yes, this happens a lot. Even those who knowingly deliver low quality,” said Ibnu on Wednesday, 26 August 2026.

He explained that such practices can occur due to collusion between parties involved in the procurement process, from the commissioning party, the goods and services provider, to those carrying out oversight.

If this happens, development that should provide optimal benefits to the public instead produces low-quality results.

This condition ultimately reduces the benefit of government spending, which should return to the public in the form of quality services and development.

Based on KPK data from 2004 to the second quarter of 2025, there were 426 corruption cases related to the procurement of goods and services. This figure places procurement of goods and services as the second most common corruption offence after bribery and gratuities, which reached 1,068 cases.

Furthermore, Ibnu explained that the risk of corruption in procurement does not only arise during the tender process. Potential irregularities can occur from the budget planning stage, approval, provider selection, through to the execution of works.

In provider selection (tender), for example, he highlighted the practice whereby one company has been prepared as the winner, while several other companies are used merely as companions so that the procurement process appears competitive.

In addition, intervention by leadership in the procurement unit to direct the winner is also one of the risks that needs to be watched. Therefore, strengthening anti-corruption prevention at all stages of government procurement of goods and services is necessary.

“Integrity-based procurement is not only free from corruption, but ensures every rupiah returns to the people in the form of benefits,” he explained.