Projects at the Ministry of Communications

Projects at the Ministry of Communications

The House of Representatives (DPR) is now focusing its attention on the materials procurement for several infrastructure projects at the state ministry of communications and information. In a working meeting between the ministry and House Commission IV last week, a number of questions were asked about the construction of the north terminal of Juanda airport, a project allegedly marred by 150 overpriced buses for (state-owned bus company) PPD.

The questions posed by members of Commission IV seemed to suggest that the legislators were fighting on behalf of the community. But now there is some suspicion that some House members are playing a dirty trick in the cases they happen to handle. We need to ask, at this juncture, why they are always very critical about this particular Ministry. Why have House members often made this Ministry their prime target? And also, why have house members become so silent with the public, especially after unofficial meetings are held?

We agree that all ministries and their projects must be handled in a transparent manner, but when one ministry is constantly targeted and there is speculation of a conflict of interest with certain House members who may have vested interests themselves in winning contracts, then this is a major problem.

When the interests of controllers and the controllees meet, the people, who have lost their trust, are simply like blind and deaf people.

-- Harian Ekonomi Neraca, Jakarta