DIY Regional Secretary Slammed, Sweet Fruit of Collaboration between OMS and Yogyakarta Journalists

Bhekti Suryani, a journalist from Harian Jogja, smiled with satisfaction when she learned that Gatot Saptadi had prohibited the Regional Apparatus Organization (OPD) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) from using fast auctions carelessly. Gatot, who at that time was still the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), admitted that the fast auction method in the first phase of the construction project for street vendors (PKL) in the Malioboro area, Yogyakarta, violated the rules.

"It's as if they [the local government] already knew that they were being targeted by journalists. Why did [Gatot] suddenly say, "yes, it's true that we asked other [OPDs] not to conduct fast auctions anymore". That was before our news was published," said Bhekti on December 8, 2019.

Bhekti said that Gatot, who retired on October 1, 2019, would not have made the statement if he had not been 'mobbed' by several media and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the city of Yogyakarta.

Role Sharing Strategy

Throughout July to October 2019, Bhekti and two other journalists, Haris Firdaus from Harian Kompas and Arif Hernawan from Gatra, tried to uncover allegations of monopoly and corruption in the construction project for street vendors in the Malioboro area on the former Indra Cinema land. The DIY provincial government project was worth Rp62 billion, the largest in 2018. IDEA Yogyakarta, one of the CSOs in the city, also participated in the investigation team.

Journalists and CSOs realized that investigating such a large project would not be easy. The team strategized. They divided their roles.

IDEA Yogyakarta went first. They held an audience with the Department of Public Works, Housing and Energy and Mineral Resources (PUP-ESDM) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, which is the commitment-making official (PKK) in the project. IDEA Yogyakarta tried to obtain project auction documents that could prove irregularities and corruption.

When IDEA Yogyakarta launched its action, the journalist team had to be patient. They were not allowed to ask for confirmation from public officials regarding indications of irregularities in the construction of the building, at least until IDEA Yogyakarta had the documents. This was important so that the government would not be suspicious.

"We met [the government] in the context of improving governance. There was absolutely no [statement] that this would be published. The local government sees the OMS feedback on recommendations so they are usually more open, although not always," said Ahmad Hedar, Researcher at IDEA Yogyakarta. feedback-nya rekomendasi sehingga mereka lebih terbuka biasanya, meskipun tidak selalu,” tutur Ahmad Hedar, Peneliti IDEA Yogyakarta.

While waiting, Bhekti, Haris, and Arif researched the profiles of the companies that won the auction for the project. PT. Matra Karya won the first stage auction, PT. Ardi Tekindo Perkasa won the second stage auction, and CV Setiabudi Jaya Perkasa won the third stage auction.

IDEA Yogyakarta's efforts were unsuccessful. The DIY Provincial Government was unwilling to provide the requested documents. The government insisted that the documents were not for the public based on the Decree of the Minister of Public Works Number 451 of 2017 concerning the List of Excluded Information. In fact, Law Number 14 of 2008 concerning Public Information Disclosure (KIP) states that contract and tender documents are open documents.

No rattan, roots will do. There are no auction documents, there are still other open documents that can be traced through the Electronic Procurement Service (LPSE) of the DIY Provincial Government and the OpenTender.net application owned by Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW). Other official documents can also be obtained from the Directorate General of General Legal Administration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

Through these sources, Bhekti, Haris, and Arif managed to identify the name of Muhammad Lutfi Setiabudi, the leader of two companies that won the second and third phases of the auction project, PT. Ardi Tekindo Perkasa and CV Setiabudi Jaya Perkasa. At CV Setiabudi Jaya Perkasa, Lutfi served as a shareholder, while at PT. Ardi Tekindo Perkasa he was the deputy president director.

Although they did not find any evidence of corruption, the collaboration between journalists and OMS in Yogyakarta managed to uncover the mistakes of the DIY Provincial Government in the implementation of a fast auction in the first phase of the building construction project for Malioboro PKL. They were also able to show the possibility of collusion in the project.

"The prevention goal is achieved. But the goal of exposing corruption has not been achieved. At least we inform the public that the projects in Yogyakarta are like this, collusion, affiliation, and these are the people who control the projects in Yogyakarta. The local government in the future must be careful," said Bhekti.

Bhekti, Haris, Arif, and Hedar admitted that the cooperation between OMS and journalists has proven effective. With collaboration, they can discuss with a broader perspective. They can also share data, information, and also security risks that may arise.

"The consideration is sharing the risk. If for example there is a lawsuit, we have many media outlets writing. Also sharing the workload because the coverage is done together. There is a place to exchange if I can't cover that day," said Bhekti.

* The collaboration between journalists and CSOs in Yogyakarta in investigating the construction project of the street vendor relocation area building in the Malioboro area in this article is a follow-up to the Goods and Services Procurement Supervision Training organized by Indonesia Corruption Watch in collaboration with the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Institute (LKPP).

Source: anticorruption.org