Two Named as Suspects in Rp26 Billion RRI Transmitter Procurement Case, Face Multiple Charges

The Depok District Attorney’s Office in West Java has officially named two suspects in an alleged corruption case concerning the procurement of rotable log periodic overseas broadcast antennas at the central office of the Public Broadcasting Institution Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) in Sukmajaya District, Depok City, valued at Rp26.39 billion for the 2021 fiscal year. The two suspects are identified by the initials W, who served as Head of the New Media for Overseas Broadcasting Division at RRI and also as the commitment-making officer, and M, the Director of PT Cantika Putri Mandiri, the goods and services provider. The determination of their suspect status was announced directly by the Head of the Special Crimes Section at the Depok District Attorney’s Office, M Ihsan Pasamula, on Thursday. Ihsan explained that the case began in November 2021 when the RRI Procurement Working Group conducted a direct appointment of the project, worth Rp26,397,800,000, to PT CPM. This occurred despite the company having previously been declared ineligible to meet the qualifications. However, the RRI official with the initials W still insisted on appointing PT CPM as the provider in early November 2021. Following the appointment, W and M signed a contract agreement on 10 November 2021 with the stated value and a completion deadline of 9 March 2022. During the execution, suspect W allegedly proceeded to disburse 100 percent of the project funds, even though physical progress on the project by late December 2021 had only reached 1.79 percent. This alleged misappropriation of state funds was then thoroughly investigated by Depok District Attorney’s Office investigators. After gathering at least two pieces of valid evidence, investigators named W and M as suspects for alleged price mark-ups and indications of bribery or gratification. The two suspects are charged under multiple articles, though the authorities have not yet taken them into physical custody due to their cooperative stance during the investigation.