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he Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (FITRA) alleges that irregularities occurred during the tender for the printing and distribution of materials for the 2013 National Exam conducted by the Education and Culture Ministry’s research and development unit (Balitbang).

FITRA called on the House of Representatives, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the National Police and the Attorney Generals Office (AGO) to look into the irregularities as it already found indications that the ministry had marked up prices for the project.

According to FITRA, the ministry earmarked Rp 120.4 billion (US$12.4 million) for the project, but spent only Rp 94.8 billion. FITRA said that the ministry saved around Rp 25.5 billion, when in fact it could have actually saved Rp 32.86 billion from the allocated budget.

FITRA researcher Uchok Sky Khadafi said the ministry had hired six companies to print and distribute six packages of exam materials.

The six printing companies that joined the tender were PT Balebat Dedikasi Prima, PT Pura Barutama, PT Ghalia Indonesia Printing, PT Jasuindo Tiga Perkasa Tbk, PT Karsa Wira Utama and PT Temprina Media Grafika.

“These companies participated in the tender for all packages and they all won the tender for each package. It seems that the ministry gave each company each project, which is inappropriate,” he said.

FITRA said that it found, for instance, that Balebat Dedikasi Prima won the tender to print and distribute the first package of exam materials with a proposed budget of Rp 12.9 billion.

Balebat also participated in the tender for the third package that was won by Ghalia Indonesia Printing, which proposed a budget of Rp 22.4 billion.

Balebat, on the other hand, had proposed Rp 21.6 billion for the third package, less than the budget proposed by Ghalia.

“It is strange that Balebat won the first package, but lost in the bid for the third package even though it offered a smaller budget,” Uchok said.

He said that this is where the violation occurred. “The ministry should have chosen companies that offered cheaper prices for this project in the first place given the fact that they are all printing companies and won the tender anyway. Why chose those who offered higher prices?”

Contacted separately, Deputy Education and Culture Minister Musliar Kasim said that the ministry had conducted a transparent and accountable tender process for the projects.

“The companies that won tenders were considered to be the best in the field. We chose companies that offered prices that accommodated the budget and maintained good reputations. We have our own criteria for each package,” Musliar told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Musliar said that the decision to name the six companies was also based on the fact that the companies could keep exam material secrets under wraps. “National Exam documents are classified, therefore we have to be very careful in choosing the companies,” he added. (nad)