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Police probe PON organizers after viral protests on poor infrastructures
The National Police have dispatched a team to launch a probe into suspected budget misuse carried out by the organizers of the 21st National Games (PON) in Aceh and North Sumatra, following widespread complaints over poor and incomplete infrastructure in and surrounding the sporting venues.
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Volleyball players walk along a muddy road near a sporting venue in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on Sept. 10, 2024. A volleyball match scheduled for that day was postponed to Wednesday due to several problems, including the poor access. (Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)
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he National Police have dispatched a team to launch a probe into suspected budget misuse carried out by the organizers of the 21st National Games (PON) in Aceh and North Sumatra, following widespread complaints over poor and incomplete infrastructure in and surrounding the sporting venues.
National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the police will be coordinating closely with the Youth and Sports Ministry to look into the corruption allegations.
“The National Police, the Attorney General’s Office [AGO] and the Corruption Eradication Commission [KPK] all have the authority to handle this case. But in principle, the police are ready to take a part,” Listyo said following a meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in the future capital of Nusantara on Thursday, as quoted by Kompas.
A top official at the police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim), Sr. Comr. Arief Adiharsa confirmed separately that five corruption investigators had departed on Thursday afternoon to conduct an inspection.
“The team will be supported by personnel from the Aceh and North Sumatra Police,” Arief said in an official statement, adding that officials from the AGO and the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKB) also tagged along.
Scores of athletes participating in the 21st PON have taken to social media to complain about poor facilities at the quadrennial event, including dirty changing rooms and bathrooms, inadequate food supply and difficult access to sporting venues.
Read also: Govt awards cash bonuses after ‘historic’ Paralympic performances
