The alleged corruption case in the development project of the 1 West Kalimantan 2×50 Megawatt power plant has resurfaced and captured public attention. The Corruption Crime Directorate has named four individuals as suspects, one of whom is HK, the younger brother of Jusuf Kalla.

The suspect status was determined following a case presentation on Friday, October 3. This was stated by the Head of the Corruption Crime Directorate, Inspector General Cahyono Wibowo, in Jakarta on Monday.

“Based on the investigation results and case presentation, investigators have named four suspects in the alleged corruption case of the 1 West Kalimantan power plant development,” said Inspector General Cahyono.

Four Suspect Names and Corruption Scheme

The case, which originated from a project in Jungkat Village, Siantan District, Mempawah Regency, has implicated four individuals who played important roles in the construction process. They are: FM, Director of PLN for the 2008-2009 period; HK, President Director of PT BRN; RR, Main Director of PT BRN; and HYL, Main Director of PT Praba.

According to investigators, this corruption practice was planned since the project planning stage. The parties allegedly made agreements to win the work implementation. After the contract was signed, various arrangements and repeated contract changes (addendums) emerged until 2018.

As a result of these arrangements, the power plant construction has been abandoned until now and was declared “total loss” by the Supreme Audit Agency.

“The work remains unfinished to this day and the BPK audit results state the project is a total loss,” explained Cahyono.

The project, which was supposed to be part of the government’s efforts to increase electricity capacity in West Kalimantan, has instead caused massive losses. Based on audit results, state losses reached USD 62,410,523 plus IDR 323,199,898,518, equivalent to more than IDR 1 trillion.

Cahyono explained that the contract used in this project was EPCC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning), where the final result should have been a fully functional power plant. However, since the project was never completed, the state lost its entire investment value.

Initially, this case was handled by the West Kalimantan Regional Police since 2021. However, due to its complexity and the enormous loss value, handling was taken over by the National Police’s Corruption Crime Directorate in May 2024.

The four suspects are charged under Article 2 Paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Corruption Crimes in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.

Investigators are also examining the potential involvement of other parties and the possibility of fund flows to several companies involved in the project.

This case has become a blow to the national energy sector. The project, which was supposed to help equalize electricity distribution in West Kalimantan, has completely failed. Besides financial losses, public trust in the transparency of strategic infrastructure projects has also been tarnished.

Investigators have promised to resolve this case thoroughly, including ensuring that lost state assets can be recovered through legal mechanisms.

1 West Kalimantan 2×50 Megawatt power plant

This is a modern power generation facility located in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, with a total capacity of 100 Megawatts (from two 50 MW units). It was developed to address the growing demand for electricity in the region and support its economic development. As a recently built infrastructure project, its history is tied to Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to expand and modernize its national power grid.

Indonesian National Police

The Indonesian National Police (POLRI) is the national law enforcement agency of Indonesia. It was established during the Dutch colonial era and became an independent institution separate from the military in 1999. POLRI is responsible for maintaining public order, security, and law enforcement across the Indonesian archipelago.

Corruption Crime Directorate

The “Corruption Crime Directorate” is not a specific cultural or historical site, but rather a common name for specialized law enforcement units within police forces or national anti-corruption agencies in various countries. These directorates are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes related to bribery, embezzlement, and abuse of public office. Their history is tied to the global effort to combat corruption, with many being established or strengthened in recent decades in response to international treaties and public demand for government accountability.

Jusuf Kalla

“Jusuf Kalla” is not a place or cultural site, but a prominent Indonesian political figure. He served as the 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia, holding office from 2004 to 2009 and again from 2014 to 2019. Before his vice presidency, he was a successful businessman and served as a minister.

PLN

I am unable to provide a summary for “PLN” as it is not a recognized place or cultural site. The acronym PLN most commonly refers to Poland’s national currency, the Polish Złoty, whose currency code is PLN. It could also stand for a political party in Costa Rica or various other organizations, but it does not identify a specific location or cultural heritage site.

PT BRN

I am unable to provide a summary for “PT BRN” as it does not appear to refer to a specific, well-known place or cultural site. It is likely an acronym for a company, organization, or a local reference that is not widely recognized in a historical or cultural context.

PT Praba

I am unable to provide a specific summary for “PT Praba” as it does not appear to be a widely recognized public place, landmark, or cultural site. The name suggests it could be a private company or organization (with “PT” often standing for “Perseroan Terbatas,” an Indonesian term for a limited liability company). Without more context, I cannot confirm its history or cultural significance.

Supreme Audit Agency

The Supreme Audit Agency (Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan or BPK) is Indonesia’s highest state institution responsible for auditing the management and accountability of state finances. It was established in 1946, shortly after Indonesia’s independence, and its existence and independence are guaranteed by the Indonesian Constitution. The agency plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the government’s use of public funds.