Graft watchdog Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has called for the Health Ministry to improve the transparency of its procurement of medical equipment and other materials during the coronavirus pandemic following the discovery of what the group deems irregularities.
According to the ICW’s findings, the Health Ministry had 430 procurement plans related to COVID-19 worth Rp 839.8 billion (US$56.9 million) as of July 21.
Of the total, 247 would be funded by the Public Service Agency (BLU), 141 under the state budget, 34 under the revised state budget and eight from nontax revenue.
The state budget and revised state budget will fund the procurement of Rp 787.5 billion in COVID-19-related products and equipment, almost 90 percent of the total procurement value.
The ICW found that among 74 plans that would use direct procurement methods – which, according to Presidential …
