Palembang, KOTABARI.COM – Former Mayor of Palembang, Harnojoyo, faced interrogation by investigators from the South Sumatra High Prosecutors’ Office (Kejaksaan Tinggi Sumatera Selatan or Kejati Sumsel). The interrogation, lasting eight hours, is linked to alleged corruption in the construction project of Aldiron Plaza Cinde.
Aldiron Plaza Cinde is a construction project that has been dismantling the historic Pasar Cinde building since 2018. The project had a budget of Rp 330 billion and commenced in June 2018, even before the South Sumatra Provincial Government officially terminated the contract with PT Magna Beatum Aldiron Plaza Cinde, the developer.
Harnojoyo’s interrogation is part of an ongoing investigation into the protracted construction of Aldiron Plaza Pasar Cinde, which has been ongoing for six years. Several other witnesses have been questioned for statements, including relevant officials such as the Head of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Palembang during the period 2012-2018 and several officials from the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD) of Palembang.
The controversy surrounding this project has caused substantial losses to dozens of Pasar Cinde traders who had purchased units, kiosks, or stalls from PT Magna Beatum. The total loss amounts to Rp 8.4 billion, and the victims have written letters to various authorities, including the President of Indonesia, the Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the National Police Chief, and the Governor of South Sumatra, seeking resolution for their predicament.
Despite plans for Aldiron Plaza Cinde to be integrated with the Palembang Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, as of now, there is still no clarity regarding the continuation of the construction. Harnojoyo declined to provide extensive comments regarding his interrogation, stating that it pertained only to clarifications regarding the status of the Pasar Cinde building, which had been designated as a cultural heritage site.