Indonesia unveils solutions in e-procurement to combat corruption

Indonesia's Public Works Ministry on Wednesday unveiled solutions against obstacles in electronic procurement (e-procurement) system for goods and services, particularly in rules, human resources and infrastructure network, to combat corruption.

Minister for Public Works Djoko Kirmanto said that his ministry has been developing system of "semi e-procurement plus" in providing goods and services since 2006 to prevent corruption.

"And, since this year, we have adopted the system in Java Island," said Djoko.

The system refers to a mechanism of electronic auction but it should be completed by submitting offering document to the ministry.

However, he said, Indonesian law does not clearly regulate the e-auction,

"The law only says that the procurement can use electronic tools like Internet, electronic data interchange and email. The e-procurement is adjusted with the interest of goods/services users and requirement in the law," said Djoko.

To address the problem, he said, his ministry has issued ministerial decree of e-procurement on construction services.

The second problem, he said, is in human resources because not all staffs know how to implement the system.

"However, the problem is solved by providing guidance and training of the system continuously," he said. Related to third problem, Djoko said that not all Indonesian regions have proper infrastructure network." Electronic auction faces obstacles, particularly on the Internet connection in regions. Besides, the e-auction in the ministry often faces access delay and interruption," he said. According to Djoko, to address the problem, his ministry has urged related institutions to improve Internet access speed in every region.

Source: Xinhua