Allegation of PON Budget Misappropriation; Bareskrim Sends Team for On-site Investigation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) has launched an investigation into allegations of budget misappropriation in the implementation of the 21st National Sports Week (PON) in Aceh and North Sumatra. On Thursday, September 12, a special team consisting of members of Bareskrim's Corruption Investigation Unit, the Aceh Police, and the North Sumatra Police left for the site to conduct a direct on-site investigation.

Bareskrim's deputy director for corruption crimes, Sr. Comr. Arief Adiharsa said the dispatched team would also work with a support team from the Attorney General's Office and the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP). "Some have already left today," Arief said when confirmed on Thursday, September 12.

The departure of this team is the first concrete step following coordination with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo. Arief said the team will not only assist but will also investigate any report of alleged misappropriation of funds during the preparation of PON XXI.

"The task force team from the headquarters will go to the site of PON XXI on Friday, also to provide assistance to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and to investigate the reported matters," he said.

The investigation was launched based on the mandate of Presidential Decree No. 24 of 2024, which appointed the Bareskrim as part of the task force to assist in the implementation of PON XXI in Aceh and North Sumatra. The team is tasked with ensuring that the event and its funds are managed in accordance with regulations and free from corrupt practices.

In addition to direct on-site investigations, the task force will review and verify various reports submitted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports as part of Bareskrim's commitment to take decisive action against alleged misuse of funds that could result in government losses. 

Earlier, Youth and Sports Minister Dito Arietedjo said there were suspicions of embezzlement in the use of funds for the 2024 National Sports Week in Aceh and North Sumatra. The suspicion arose from the discovery that a number of venues or competition sites had not completed construction.

Dito is also coordinating with the AGO and Bareskrim to investigate the alleged embezzlement. He demanded that the PON venues be constructed in accordance with the work target and schedule as stated in the contract.

Intan Setiawanty | Dani Aswara

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