Fajarasia.id — The designation of two senior officials in the Medan City Government as corruption suspects by the Medan District Prosecutor’s Office has become a serious test for Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas, who has not yet completed his first year in office.
Amid public scrutiny over the city’s commitment to fighting corruption, Rico has taken a firm stance: he will not provide legal assistance to officials who have been named suspects.
The two officials are BIN, Head of the Cooperative, SMEs, and Industry Office, and ES, Head of the Medan Transportation Office. Both are implicated in alleged corruption linked to the Medan Fashion Festival 2024 budget.
“The legal process must be followed. This is a lesson for our legal framework. The public is waiting for certainty in law enforcement within the Medan City Government. We trust the Prosecutor’s Office to carry out the process professionally,” Rico stated after a plenary session at the Medan City Council on Monday.
Suspension Process Underway, Acting Officials Prepared
Rico confirmed that his administration is processing all personnel administration matters, including consultations with the National Civil Service Agency (BKN), to suspend the two officials in accordance with procedure.
“Our staffing division is submitting the suspension process. Government agencies must continue to function, so acting officials will be appointed soon,” he explained.
Prosecutor’s Office Tightens Investigation
The Prosecutor’s Office previously detained BIN and MH (a private contractor) on November 14, 2025. Meanwhile, Erwin Saleh (ES) has not yet been detained after failing to respond to multiple summonses, both as a witness and as a suspect. A second summons in his suspect status was issued on November 20.
According to information obtained by Hastara.id, the Prosecutor’s Office has also issued detention orders for five other Medan City Government personnel in separate cases, including:
– BIN – Head of Cooperative, SMEs, and Industry Office (suspect)
– ES – Head of Transportation Office (suspect)
– IAS – former Medan Polonia subdistrict head
– IAL – Head of Facilities and Infrastructure, Medan Polonia
– IRD – honorary staff, Medan Polonia
This second case involves alleged corruption in the distribution of subsidized diesel fuel for waste-transporting pedicabs in Medan Polonia during the 2024 fiscal year.
Political Blow for the New Mayor
The naming of suspects, particularly two department heads, has created political pressure for Mayor Rico Waas. The situation is especially sensitive because ES was appointed through an open selection process for echelon II positions during Rico’s leadership.
This marks an early test of Rico’s commitment to bureaucratic reform and anti-corruption enforcement in Medan. His refusal to provide legal protection and his decision to suspend implicated officials are intended to demonstrate that the city government will not shield problematic personnel.
Still, the public awaits further action: will this be the beginning of a broader bureaucratic clean-up, or will efforts stop at these cases alone? …..
