Indonesian Parliament Questions Ministry Over Delayed Dam Project

Parliamentary Scrutiny of Infrastructure Project

The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has summoned the Ministry of Public Works (PU) to address concerns over the Tiga Dihaji Dam project in South Sumatra. The dam's construction, initiated in 2018, was originally slated for completion in 2023 but is now expected to be finished by 2026, marking a significant 3-year delay.

Audit Findings and Implementation Status

The scrutiny follows a recent audit report by the Financial Audit Agency (BPK) covering the period from 2020 to the first half of 2024. The report identified 16 significant findings and 37 recommendations related to various dam projects across Indonesia, including the Tiga Dihaji Dam. While the Ministry of Public Works has administratively followed up on all recommendations, the BPK confirmed that only 9 out of 37 recommendations (24.32%) have been fully implemented.

Project Details and Implications

The Tiga Dihaji Dam project, located in South Sumatra, was initially planned as a 6-year project (2018-2023) but has now been extended to 9 years (2018-2026). The delay has raised concerns about the project's overall cost and its intended benefits, particularly its role as a potential source of hydroelectric power. The project remains unfinished, and its delayed completion has significant implications for the region's energy infrastructure.