Banda Aceh News | Transparansi Tender Indonesia (TTI), a prominent public procurement watchdog, has flagged systemic anomalies and high-risk irregularities within the 2026 regional budget execution of the Bireuen Regency Government. Out of a total of 1,278 recorded transactions amounting to IDR 181.03 billion, an alarming 496 packages valued at IDR 56.36 billion were executed via direct procurement methods.
TTI Coordinator Nasruddin Bahar revealed that a deep analytical dive into the procurement dashboard exposed troubling patterns. These include an excessive reliance on direct procurement, repeated contract awards channeled to specific vendors, and structural construction jobs valued dangerously close to the IDR 400 million ceiling threshold.
Emphasizing that public funds must be strictly safeguarded, Nasruddin warned that administrative compliance must not mask underlying anti-competitive practices, uncompetitive pricing, or substandard project execution.
“An allocation of IDR 181 billion is no small sum. That money belongs to the public and must be fully accounted for. We refuse to see procurement processes that merely look orderly on paper while leaving behind deep flaws in business competition, pricing fairness, or construction quality,” Nasruddin stated on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Direct Procurement vs. Competitive Tendering
Breaking down the data from the 1,278 total transactions, TTI noted that 774 packages utilized the e-purchasing method totaling approximately IDR 121.05 billion, while eight packages went through open selection valued at roughly IDR 3.61 billion. Meanwhile, the remaining 496 direct procurement deals accounted for IDR 56.36 billion.
TTI underscored that while direct procurement is legally permissible under regulatory frameworks, it must never be exploited as a loophole to evade competitive bidding or funnel lucrative projects to favored vendors. Watchdog authorities have formally demanded that all Commitment-Making Officers (PPK) and Budget Users (PA/KPA) justify their choice of procurement methodology.
Several high-value construction packages hovering just below the direct procurement limit drew intense scrutiny. Projects flagged include the Jeunieb Inner City Road Drainage project worth IDR 394.75 million awarded to CV Atjeh Future Engineering, the Blang Me–Paloh Raya Road project valued at IDR 392.20 million handled by CV Cahaya Telaga Intan, and the Pinto Rimba–Alue Kuta Road project worth IDR 392.17 million executed by CV Mata Bor Perkasa.
Nasruddin noted that while proximity to the legal ceiling does not automatically constitute a crime, such patterns warrant criminal scrutiny when geographic locations, timelines, and budgets intersect suspiciously.
“What needs to be audited is not merely the package value, but whether these projects were genuinely independent initiatives or a single unified project deliberately split up. If splitting was utilized to dodge competitive bidding protocols, it must be legally prosecuted,” he warned.
Vendor Monopolization and Billion-Rupiah E-Purchasing Risks
Furthermore, TTI uncovered a recurring cluster of vendors capturing dozens to hundreds of transactions. Entities such as H.B secured 118 transactions totaling IDR 661.63 million, TB. Angkasa captured 99 transactions worth IDR 1.08 billion, Global Modern secured 39 deals valued at IDR 795.45 million, HS Digitech garnered 27 transactions totaling IDR 773.87 million, and CV Syakira recorded 17 contracts valued at approximately IDR 2.51 billion.
Beyond direct procurement, TTI turned its sights on multi-billion-rupiah infrastructure undertakings executed via e-purchasing. Key projects include the Matang Bangka Steel Truss Bridge construction in Jeunieb District valued at IDR 9.78 million under Care Indonusa, the Alue Krueb Bridge replacement in Peusangan Siblah Krueng District worth IDR 4.43 million by Eshan Construction, and the Lueng Daneun–Meureubo Road reconstruction valued at IDR 3.63 million handled by Peusangan Bumi Agung.
TTI has urged the Bireuen Regency Inspectorate and relevant oversight bodies to launch exhaustive audits covering procurement planning documents, self-estimated prices (HPS), vendor capabilities, contract terms, and physical inspections.
“TTI will continue to fiercely monitor Bireuen’s public procurement. Public funds meant to elevate public services and regional growth must not be squandered to benefit private cartels,” Nasruddin concluded.
