NTB Attorney General's Office Monitors West Sumbawa District Prosecutor's Investigation into Agricultural Machinery Corruption

Mataram (ANTARA) - The High Prosecutor’s Office of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is providing attention to the investigative steps taken by the West Sumbawa District Prosecutor’s Office regarding the alleged corruption case in the procurement of agricultural tools and machinery (alsintan). “So, we will continue to monitor, especially since this case has entered the investigation stage,” said Assistant Special Criminal Prosecutor of the NTB High Prosecutor’s Office, Muh. Zulkifli Said, in Mataram on Friday. He stated that, in addition to the issue of calculating state financial losses, there are several other aspects that are of concern in the consultation conducted by the West Sumbawa District Prosecutor’s Office. Although he did not elaborate, Zulkifli explained that the consultation material relates to tracing elements of unlawful acts and fulfilling evidence, including the aspect of intent or mens rea. In handling this case, the West Sumbawa District Prosecutor’s Office has coordinated with the West Nusa Tenggara Representative of the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP). However, a new development has emerged following the Constitutional Court’s (MK) ruling which affirms that the authority to calculate state financial losses lies with the Financial Audit Board (BPK) of Indonesia. “This coordination relates to the calculation of state losses after the MK’s ruling,” said Achmad. In the investigation process, the West Sumbawa District Prosecutor’s Office has examined around 60 witnesses, including members of the West Sumbawa Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), the Agriculture Office, and farmer groups receiving the aid. The District Prosecutor’s Office has also issued three investigation order letters (sprindik) for each procurement fiscal year, namely 2023 to 2025. In addition to witness examinations and document seizures, investigators have also seized seven units out of a total of 21 machines from the procurement as evidence. The investigation of this case points towards alleged abuse of authority in the process of distribution, receipt, and utilisation of the goods. From the total of 21 alsintan units procured, they consist of two units in 2023, six units in 2024, and 13 units in 2025.