30-12-2024 (JAKARTA) The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained two senior officials in connection with alleged corruption surrounding the construction of tsunami evacuation shelters in West Nusa Tenggara province, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into misappropriated disaster preparedness funds.
The anti-graft agency named Agus Herijanto, the head of shelter development projects, and Aprialely Nirmala, a senior official at the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, as suspects in the case involving approximately Rp20 billion ($1.2 million) of state funds.
Speaking at a press conference at KPK headquarters in South Jakarta, investigation director Asep Guntur Rahayu announced that both suspects would be held for an initial 20-day period from 30 December 2024 to 18 January 2025 at the East Jakarta detention facility.
“Following thorough investigation, sufficient evidence has been gathered to establish the involvement of both parties in corrupt practices,” Rahayu stated. The case centres on the 2014 construction of temporary evacuation sites (TES) intended to provide safe harbour for local communities during tsunami events.
The investigation has revealed that the shelters, despite their critical public safety purpose, were rendered entirely unusable. KPK spokesperson Tessa Mahardhika indicated that while the final audit remains pending, preliminary findings suggest the entire project budget may have been misappropriated.
“These facilities were meant to serve as lifesaving infrastructure for coastal communities,” Mahardhika explained. “Their complete dysfunction represents not just a financial loss, but a serious compromise of public safety measures.”
