ICW claims flaws in e-ID procurement

JAKARTA: An anti-corruption watchdog has disclosed procurement irregularities in the electronic ID (e-ID) card project run by the Home Ministry.

Tama S. Langkun from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) alleged on Wednesday that the Home Ministry violated legal provisions governing goods and service procurement during the tender process.

“The procurement committee changed the specifications for the required equipment after the deadline,” Tama said. “That, according to the LKPP [Government Procurement Regulatory Body], violated a 2010 presidential regulation.”

Presidential Regulation No. 54/2010 on Public Goods and Services Procurement prohibits procurement officials and bidders from “post bidding”, the practice of changing or adding to procurement or bid documents after submission deadlines.

Tama said the Home Ministry also violated regulations by awarding the contract in July while an appeal from two other bidders was still under review. According to regulations, the award process must be suspended during an appeal to ensure transparency.

The program was originally expected to be complete nationwide by 2012 at a cost of more than Rp 6.3 trillion (US$711.9 million).