Single Bidder Wins Maros’ IDR 20 Billion Road Project, Raising Eyebrows

MAROS, SUARAHAM (17/8)- July 17, 2025 — The road improvement project for Tompobalang – Bontomatinggi in Tompobulu District, Maros Regency, valued at IDR 20 billion from the 2025 Regional Budget (APBD), has sparked serious questions. Despite five companies being registered in the open tender, only one actually submitted a bid.

That company was PT Sinar Jaya Abadi Acc, based in Makassar, South Sulawesi, which was ultimately declared the winner. Meanwhile, the other four participants — Yosiken Inti Perkasa, PT Gentyorv Fajar, PT Hospindo Internusa Jaya, and PT Win Wahana Cipta Marga — failed to submit bid prices, leading to automatic disqualification.

As a result, PT Sinar Jaya Abadi Acc advanced without competition to the evaluation and negotiation stages. Its initial bid of IDR 19.8 billion was corrected without changes and finalized at a contract value of IDR 19.77 billion. The contract signing reportedly took place on June 17, 2025.

Limited Competition Raises Suspicions

The lack of competition in such a high-value project has raised suspicions of possible bid-rigging practices. Analysts suggest that when only a single bidder passes through, it could stem from discriminatory administrative requirements or technical specifications deliberately designed to favor a particular contractor.

Adding to the controversy, the project is financed by the Maros Regency APBD but was awarded to a contractor from outside the region. This has further fueled public debate over whether the local government is truly committed to supporting local businesses.

As of this report’s publication, the Maros Regency Office of Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing, Settlement Areas, and Land Affairs, the agency in charge of the procurement, has not issued an official statement.