Unhealthy Tender Practices in Aceh: A Deep Dive into Corruption and Collusion
The project tender process and procurement of goods and services by the government in Aceh have long been plagued by systemic issues, with corruption and collusion becoming alarmingly normalized.According to Indonesian Tender Transparency (TTI), the process is far from transparent, with law enforcement officials allegedly playing a role in rigging outcomes.
“How can it be able to judge Permainan Clean if APH as the referee came to play,” said Nasruddin Bahar, TTI coordinator, highlighting the deep-rooted issues in the system. The terms ‘Lingke’ package and ‘Batoh’ package have become synonymous with the tender process in aceh, representing a public secret that many are aware of but few dare to address.
For most partners, understanding these terms is a challenge, yet they know exactly what to do to secure a tender. “If the referee comes to play until whenever KKN will not disappear. Many cases were reported missing without a trace,” Bahar added.
The findings of the BPK RI Aceh representatives further underscore the problem, with 16 work packages in the tender process deemed unhealthy. These practices are not isolated to Nagan Raya Regency but are prevalent across all districts and cities in Aceh.
In Nagan Raya, for instance, the offer documents were prepared by a group appointed by the Election Working group (Pokja), with the pokja itself involved in the process. Partners who receive recommendations from the Regent or Mayor typically contact the designated working group, deposit the bid fee as agreed, and proceed to upload the offer.
Shockingly, the same personnel, equipment, and even Internet Provider (IP) numbers are often used across multiple bids, despite rules explicitly prohibiting such practices. “There is even a person who does not hesitate to upload from the working room of the Pokja itself,” Bahar revealed.
The evaluation process by the Election Pokja is also problematic, often aligning closely with the HPS (Harga Perkiraan Sendiri), leaving no room for healthy competition. This arrangement ensures that the tender process is anything but fair.
Key Issues in Aceh’s Tender Process
| Issue | description |
|——————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Collusion and Corruption | Law enforcement officials allegedly rig tender outcomes. |
| ‘Lingke’ and ‘Batoh’ Packages | Terms representing rigged tender processes, widely known but rarely addressed. |
| Unhealthy Work Packages | 16 work packages flagged by BPK RI as unhealthy. |
| Use of Same IP and Personnel | Rules prohibiting the use of same IP and personnel are routinely violated. |
| Lack of Healthy Competition | Evaluations align with HPS, ensuring pre-arranged outcomes. |
The situation in Aceh calls for urgent reforms to restore transparency and fairness in the tender process. Without addressing these systemic issues, corruption and collusion will continue to thrive, undermining public trust and advancement efforts.
For more insights into the challenges facing Aceh’s tender process, explore the findings of Transparency Tender Indonesia [[2]] and the BPK RI Aceh Representatives [[1]].
Unhealthy Tender Practices in Aceh: A Deep Dive into Corruption and Collusion
The government procurement process in Aceh has long been marred by systemic corruption and collusion, with tender outcomes allegedly rigged by law enforcement officials. Terms like ‘Lingke’ and ‘Batoh’ have become synonymous with these rigged processes,while the BPK RI Aceh Representatives have flagged 16 work packages as unhealthy. This interview with Dr. Anita Sari, an expert in anti-corruption and governance, sheds light on these issues and explores potential solutions.
Collusion and Corruption in Tender Processes
Editor: Dr. Sari,how pervasive is collusion and corruption in Aceh’s tender processes,and what role do law enforcement officials play?
Dr. Anita Sari: Collusion and corruption are deeply embedded in the system. Law enforcement officials, who are supposed to act as referees, are often complicit in rigging outcomes.This creates a vicious cycle where corruption thrives because those tasked with enforcing the rules are breaking them. As Nasruddin Bahar of Transparency Tender indonesia aptly put it, “How can the game be clean if the referee is playing?”
The ‘Lingke’ and ‘Batoh’ Packages
Editor: Can you explain the terms ‘Lingke’ and ‘Batoh’ and their meaning in aceh’s tender processes?
Dr. Anita Sari: these terms are widely known in Aceh and refer to rigged tender packages.‘Lingke’ and ‘Batoh’ represent a public secret—everyone knows about them, but few dare to address them openly. These packages ensure that the tender process is anything but fair, as they are pre-arranged to benefit specific parties. This practice undermines transparency and creates an environment where corruption flourishes.
Unhealthy Work Packages
Editor: The BPK RI Aceh Representatives have flagged 16 work packages as unhealthy. What does this mean, and how widespread is this issue?
Dr. Anita Sari: Unhealthy work packages are those that fail to meet basic standards of transparency and fairness. These packages often involve collusion, with bidders and officials working together to manipulate outcomes.The fact that 16 packages have been flagged in Aceh alone is alarming, but this is not just a localized issue. Similar practices are prevalent across all districts and cities in the region,indicating a systemic problem.
Violations of Procurement Rules
Editor: Rules prohibit using the same IP and personnel across multiple bids, yet these violations are routine. How does this impact the tender process?
Dr. Anita Sari: These violations are a clear sign of collusion. When the same personnel, equipment, and IP addresses are used across multiple bids, it suggests that a single entity is controlling the process. This undermines competition and ensures that the tender process is rigged. In some cases, bids are even uploaded from the working rooms of the Election Pokja, wich is a blatant violation of procurement rules.
Lack of Healthy Competition
Editor: The evaluation process often aligns with the HPS (Harga Perkiraan Sendiri), leaving no room for competition. Why is this problematic?
Dr. Anita Sari: The HPS is supposed to be a benchmark, but when evaluations align too closely with it, it indicates that the process is predetermined. This leaves no room for healthy competition,as the outcome is essentially decided before the tender is even opened. Such practices discourage honest bidders and perpetuate corruption, as only those with connections or inside knowledge can succeed.
Urgent Need for Reform
Editor: what reforms are needed to restore transparency and fairness in Aceh’s tender process?
Dr. Anita Sari: Reforms must start with addressing the complicity of law enforcement officials and ensuring that they are held accountable. The use of terms like ‘Lingke’ and ‘Batoh’ must be eradicated, and all unhealthy work packages should be thoroughly investigated. Stricter enforcement of procurement rules is also essential, especially regarding the use of IP addresses and personnel. the Election Pokja must ensure that the evaluation process is fair and transparent, allowing for healthy competition.
Conclusion
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Sari, for your insights. It’s clear that Aceh’s tender process is in dire need of reform to combat corruption and restore public trust.
dr. Anita Sari: Thank you for highlighting this important issue. Without urgent action, corruption will continue to undermine advancement efforts in Aceh. Transparency and accountability must be prioritized to ensure a fair and just procurement process for all.
