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Scandal-ridden Hambalang project to continue
Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nachrawi announced on Wednesday that he had received a green light from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to continue the development of the National Sports Development, Education and Training Center (P3SON) in Hambalang, West Java
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outh and Sports Minister Imam Nachrawi announced on Wednesday that he had received a green light from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to continue the development of the National Sports Development, Education and Training Center (P3SON) in Hambalang, West Java.
'I have just read the letter from the KPK saying that the Hambalang construction project can continue, as long as an examination of the project's legal aspects and surveys on the construction site's land contours, structures and other things show good results,' he said as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta on Thursday.
The development of the sports complex was halted in 2013 after the KPK uncovered a graft case worth Rp 2.5 trillion (US$208 million) related to the project, implicating then youth and sports minister Andi Mallarangeng and former Democratic Party chief Anas Urbaningrum. Both of them were declared guilty and imprisoned.
Imam said he approached the KPK to find out the status of the neglected project, asking the commission whether the Hambalang site was also the subject of confiscation. 'The KPK replied: 'It is not',' said Imam.
Responding to the commission's explanation, Imam said he hoped the ministry could continue the project because the construction was around 70 to 90 percent complete when the graft scandal was revealed.
The minister said it was hoped that all required surveys and audits could be finished immediately so that construction could resume in 2016.
Apart from state budget funding, Imam said, the development and maintenance of the 33-hectare sports complex could be funded by the private sector.
'The project's contractors have previously said that they are not ready to continue it, so we must take some first steps. It is clear that our commitment is to continue the project at Hambalang,' Imam said. (rad/ebf)(+++)
