KOTABARI.COM – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named five suspects in a bribery case involving the procurement of goods or services at the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). One of the suspects is the former Head of Basarnas for the 2021-2023 period, Air Marshal Madya Henri Alfiandi. Alongside Henri, the KPK also identified the Coordinator of Basarnas’ Administration, Lieutenant Colonel Afri Budi Cahyanto, as another suspect. Both individuals are allegedly involved in receiving a total of approximately Rp 88.3 billion from various project vendors.
The identification of these suspects follows an operation carried out by the KPK, in collaboration with the Central Military Police (Puspom) of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), where several Basarnas officials and other parties were apprehended in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, and Jatisampurna, Bekasi, on Tuesday (July 25, 2023).
On Wednesday night, Deputy Chairman of the KPK, Alexander Marwata, explained that the investigation is still ongoing to further scrutinize the alleged bribery involving Henri and Afri in several Basarnas projects from 2021 to 2023, with a total value of around Rp 88.3 billion from various project-winning vendors. The investigation is being conducted jointly with the Puspom Mabes TNI’s investigation team.
“During the KPK’s recent operation, the investigative team seized Rp 999.7 million in cash from a goodie bag stored in Afri’s car trunk,” stated Alex during a press conference at the Red and White Building of the KPK in Jakarta.
According to Alex, the case was initiated based on information received from the public regarding the alleged handover of a sum of cash from Marilya to Afri, representing Henri, in one of the bank parking lots in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.
Alex further revealed that in 2023, Basarnas had opened three tender projects for the procurement of disaster debris detection equipment with a contract value of Rp 9.9 billion, the procurement of Public Safety Diving Equipment with a contract value of Rp 17.4 billion, and the procurement of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for KN SAR Ganesha (multi-years 2023-2024) with a contract value of Rp 89.9 billion. For these three projects, Henri allegedly demanded a 10 percent kickback from the contract value.
Based on the investigation, the three vendors planned to win the three procurement projects at the behest of Henri. They accomplished this by establishing direct contact with the officials responsible for committing the project funds (Pejabat Pembuat Komitmen/PPK) at the relevant working units and manipulated the bid prices to align closely with their own estimated price (Harga Perkiraan Sendiri/HPS).
The three suspects, Mulsunadi Gunawan, Marilya, and Roni Aidil, who are accused of being involved in bribery as the givers of bribes, have been charged with violating Article 5 Paragraph (1) letters a or b or Article 13 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) verse 1 of the Criminal Code.
The KPK has requested Mulsunadi Gunawan to cooperate and immediately appear at the Red and White Building of the KPK to undergo the legal process. Meanwhile, Marilya and Roni Aidil have been detained at the KPK Detention Center from July 26, 2023, until August 14, 2023. Both Marilya and Roni Aidil declined to answer questions from journalists after their suspect status was announced.
Henri Alfiandi and Afri Budi Cahyanto, who are currently active law enforcement officers in the Indonesian National Armed Forces, have been handed over to the Puspom Mabes TNI. Alex assured that the legal process would be handled jointly by the joint investigation team of the KPK and the Puspom Mabes TNI, as stipulated by the law.
The Head of Public Relations and General Affairs of Basarnas, Hendra Sudirman, issued a written statement before the suspects were named, expressing the agency’s commitment to cooperate and respect the ongoing legal process.
Separately, Boyamin Saiman, Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society, commented that corruption cases related to the procurement of goods and services have become increasingly alarming, despite the existence of an electronic auction system. He highlighted the alleged manipulation of the bidding process from the outset, leading to only certain groups winning, while others who refuse to engage in bribery are sidelined. Boyamin emphasized the need for a well-governed, competitive, and transparent procurement system to prevent such corrupt practices.
The authorities from the KPK and Puspom Mabes TNI will proceed with the legal process against the suspects, as mandated by the law.