Palembang, KOTABARI.COM – The South Sumatra Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati Sumsel) continues to investigate allegations of corruption and irregularities in the construction of Pasar Cinde. Up to this point, nine witnesses have been summoned to provide information regarding this scandal.
During the investigative process, eight out of the nine summoned witnesses have appeared and given statements to the Special Criminal Act (Tindak Pidana Khusus or Tindak Pidsus) investigators from Kejati Sumsel. However, there is still one witness who has not responded to the summons.
The latest summoned witness is identified by the initials SB, who served as the former Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (Dinas PU Cipta Karya or PUCK) from 2015 to 2017. Vanny Yulia Eka Sari SH MH, the Head of Legal and Public Relations Division at Kejati Sumsel, stated that the investigation is still in its early stages, and the exact extent of financial losses to the state due to the alleged corruption is yet to be determined.
Vanny Yulia Eka Sari also mentioned that Kejati Sumsel will continue to schedule summonses for other witnesses to further delve into the investigation of this corruption case. Several individuals have been questioned previously, including former officials from the South Sumatra Provincial Finance and Asset Management Office (Badan Pengelola Keuangan dan Aset Daerah or BPKAD Sumsel) and the Head of the National Land Agency (Badan Pertanahan Nasional or BPN) of Palembang.
The case stems from the construction of Pasar Cinde, also known as Aldiron Plaza Pasar Cinde (APC), with a budget of around Rp 330 billion. The construction began in June 2018 but came to a halt during the Covid-19 pandemic. The project was intended not only to be a commercial center but also to be integrated with the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.
The suspension of construction for six years has led to dozens of Pasar Cinde vendors demanding refunds for their purchases of units, stalls, or spaces from PT Magna Beatum Aldiron Plaza Cinde, the project’s developer.
As of now, the controversy continues, and the contracting company has yet to provide clarity on the future of the construction of Pasar Cinde or Aldiron Plaza. Kejati Sumsel remains committed to conducting further investigations to uncover potential corruption and irregularities surrounding this project.