A Bribefor a Capital City

A member of the DPR, Al-Amin Nasution, was arrested by investigators from the KPK two weeks ago. He is suspected of accepting bribe money from Azirwan, Secretary of the Government of Bintan Regency, Riau province, who also happens to be Chief Commissioner of PT Bintan Inti Sukses. Both men were arrested together.

The money was allegedly given to facilitate the process of rezoning 8,300 hectares of protected forest in Bintan. This area is to be transformed into the regency’s capital city and a major business area. This massive project involves a consortium of Singapore tourism companies and a Jakarta businessperson. The total project is valued at Rp13 trillion.

From Bintan, Tempo reports that construction had already begun on part of the protected forest before the legislature gave its approval on April 9. A few multistory buildings have already been built there.

What are the details and the complications involving this project? Is it true that Al-Amin is the only “insider” on the project? A number of Tempo sources said that two other DPR members attended the Ritz-Carlton meeting on the night that Al-Amin was arrested. Here is the complete story.