The installation of dozens of fiber optic poles in the Gunung Sulah Sub-district, Bandar Lampung City, has sparked a new controversy. In addition to the unclear permits for the infrastructure installation, the public is now questioning the transparency of the management of environmental development or compensation funds allegedly flowing from the telecommunications network provider to affected residents.
When asked to confirm the existence of these funds, the Head of Gunung Sulah Sub-district, Sofian Ilyas Nyerupa, declined to give a detailed explanation. Instead, Sofian passed the responsibility for answering to his subordinates. He asked the media to direct their questions directly to the local neighborhood heads (kaling).
However, several neighborhood heads who were contacted via text message and phone calls have so far chosen to remain silent. The defensive attitude of the neighborhood officials and the sub-district head's reluctance to be open have only strengthened residents' suspicions regarding the clarity of the fund flow, which is supposed to be used for the public interest.
Responding to this, the Chairman of the Lampung Budget and Policy Care Movement (Gepak), Yudhi Hasyim, voiced strong criticism. According to him, the silence and passing of responsibility at the sub-district level reflect weak administrative supervision. He emphasized that environmental compensation funds are a community right that must be managed openly and accountably, not for personal gain.
Legally, the non-transparent management or misuse of public funds by local officials could potentially violate criminal law. If the funds are enjoyed unilaterally, the perpetrators could be charged with embezzlement in office under the Criminal Code (KUHP), and it could even fall under corruption if it involves abuse of authority by state apparatus to the detriment of the public.
Until now, the fiber optic service provider in question has also not provided an official statement regarding the amount or mechanism of distributing the compensation funds. The residents of Gunung Sulah are now waiting for good faith from the sub-district officials to disclose the information clearly to avoid wild speculation among the public.
