M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has once again reported alleged corruption in the procurement of tear gas by the police to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). ICW Chair Wana Alamsyah said it was conducted to ensure the anti-graft agency has handled the previous complaint.
"We have not received clear information on the progress of the case handling," said Wana Alamsyah when met at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Friday, August 15, 2025.
He requested that the KPK promptly follow up on ICW's report regarding the alleged corruption in tear gas procurement. Wana mentioned that the police often used expired tear gas to disperse crowds.
"We observed that a few days ago, during an incident in Pati Regency, the police used excessive tear gas that was known to have expired in 2016," he said.
Previously, the Civil Society Coalition for Police Reform reported the Indonesian National Police to KPK for alleged corruption in the procurement of tear gas launchers on Monday, September 2, 2024.
"The KPK is authorized to handle corruption cases involving law enforcement agencies, in this case, the police," said ICW Coordinator Agus Sunaryanto at the KPK building in South Jakarta.
Agus stated that the procurement of tear gas by the police was prone to irregularities, such as suspected collusion in the tender process favoring certain brands, as well as indications of price inflation by the procurement committee.
According to him, there was a price difference in the procurement between 2022 and 2023 amounting to around Rp26 billion. Nevertheless, Agus mentioned that this discovery had already been reported to the KPK leadership, including the public complaint division, for prompt follow-up.
"Because once again, the budget is sourced from the state budget, which is essentially based on public taxes," said Agus.
He also stated that it was very ironic for the public to contribute their taxes for security equipment provision, yet suffer negative impacts from the procurement of tear gas.
Meanwhile, the police have responded to ICW's complaint regarding the alleged corruption in tear gas procurement. According to the police, the procurement of tear gas is "carried out in accordance with the applicable procedures," said the then Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the National Police, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, through a written statement on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.