Hammam Izzuddin, Jakarta – The Banten Regional Police is investigating the incident of a group of local businesspeople allegedly seeking a project quota worth Rp 5 trillion without a bidding process from foreign investors at the Krakatau Steel industrial area in Cilegon.
"It's currently under investigation," said the Head of Public Relations of Banten Regional Police, Commissioner Didik Hariyanto, when confirmed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Didik stated that he could not provide further information about the incident. "We will inform you later," he said.
The issue has gone viral on social media since Friday, May 9, 2025. A number of business organizations, including the Cilegon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), visited the foreign investor PT Chandra Asri Alkali in the Krakatau Steel industrial area in Cilegon to request a project quota.
Someone in the video stated that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) along with the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (Hipmi) and other local businesspeople wanted to be involved in a Rp 15 trillion factory construction project. There was also a statement from local businesspeople expressing their unwillingness to be mere bystanders and miss out on the project. They sought to acquire a share worth Rp 5 trillion.
The Chairperson of Kadin, Anindya Novyan Bakrie, stated that a verification team has been formed to resolve the issue. He does not want the public or investors in Cilegon to be disturbed by a group of people claiming to represent Kadin. "We are moving quickly here," Anindya said at Tempo Scan Tower, South Jakarta, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Anindya claimed that Kadin always strives to increase trade and investment in Indonesia. He feels that actions against the law and repressive acts towards investors can disrupt business development in Cilegon and other regions. "It is Kadin's duty to oversee," he said.
Anindya rejects the notion that the actions of this group of people represent his organization. "They are individuals," said Anindya. He has urged for this issue to be resolved in a wise and timely manner.
– Alif Ilham Fajriadi contributed to this article.