Parliament Criticizes Delayed Dam Projects Amidst BPK Findings

Commission V Raises Concerns Over Project Mismanagement

The Indonesian Parliament's Commission V has strongly criticized various dam projects under the Ministry of Public Works, following a recent audit by the Financial Audit Agency (BPK). The BPK's examination uncovered 16 significant findings and 37 recommendations related to the management and implementation of these infrastructure projects.

Key Findings and Recommendations

The BPK's audit report revealed that despite administrative follow-up by the Ministry, only 9 out of 37 recommendations (24.32%) were marked as fully implemented. The remaining 28 recommendations (75.68%) are still under review. One of the most notable cases highlighted was the Tiga Dihaji Dam project in South Sumatra, which experienced a 9-year delay from its original completion timeline.

Parliament's Response and Concerns

Commission V Chairman Lasarus expressed significant concerns during a working meeting with the Minister of Public Works. He emphasized that while the Ministry had administratively responded to all BPK recommendations, the actual implementation remained incomplete. Lasarus stressed that such delays and mismanagement could have far-reaching consequences on Indonesia's infrastructure development and water resource management.

Implications for Infrastructure Development

The criticism comes at a time when Indonesia is heavily investing in its infrastructure to support economic growth. The delays in these dam projects not only impact the cost but also affect the country's ability to manage water resources effectively. The Parliament's scrutiny indicates a growing oversight of major infrastructure projects and their management by government ministries.