LAPAN Advisory Board Chairman: Final Decisions Cannot Be Replaced by Verbal Agreements

MEDAN [BATIKNews-online] — The alleged offer of Rp 50 million to each retiree of the Tirtanadi Regional Public Company (Perumda) has become a hot topic among the North Sumatran public. The controversy has drawn even more attention following a harsh analysis from the Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the State Budget Utilization Advocacy Institute (LAPAN) regarding the potential legal and administrative repercussions if the allegations are confirmed.

The spotlight arose because the offer was said to have occurred when the court decision regarding the rights of 14 Perumda Tirtanadi retirees had become legally binding (inkracht), and some of the cases had even been decided at the Supreme Court level.

The public is now asking: is this offer part of the company's official settlement, or does it have the potential to create new legal problems?

Appears Amid Supreme Court Ruling

Information regarding the alleged Rp. 50 million offer emerged after the second meeting at the Perumda Tirtanadi Medan office.

During the meeting, Tirtanadi's Corporate Secretary, Nurlin, was said to have verbally conveyed the plan to give IDR 50 million to each retiree.

Previously, decisions from the Industrial Relations Court to the Supreme Court had ordered full payment of pension rights to retirees.

Therefore, questions arise regarding the legal basis of the nominal amount and its legality if it does not comply with the court's decision.

LAPAN: Could Give Rise to Allegations of Irregularities

Haris Kalana ST SH MH, Chair of the LAPAN Advisory Board, assessed that if it is true that there is a payment scheme outside the final decision without a clear legal basis, then this has the potential to give rise to serious problems in the governance of BUMD.

According to him, the use of regional company budgets must have a clear administrative basis, legality, and accountability.

"If there are payments that don't comply with the ruling or aren't based on the company's official procedures, that could certainly raise legal questions. This is especially true if it concerns a regional-owned enterprise (BUMD) and its budget allocation," he said.

He explained that in the context of regionally owned enterprises, all decisions regarding payments must refer to official documents, legal decisions, and the company's administrative mechanisms.

"We must not give the impression that there is an informal resolution that contradicts the court's decision. If that happens, the impact could be far-reaching, ranging from internal audits and administrative investigations to potential legal issues," he said.

It could lead to an execution request or an examination.

LAPAN also believes that the slow implementation of the final decision could open up new legal opportunities for the retirees.

Legally, the party who wins the case can submit a request for execution to the court if the decision is not carried out voluntarily.

In addition, if allegations of maladministration or abuse of authority are found in the management of case resolution, this issue can become the focus of attention of supervisory agencies and law enforcement officials.

"When court decisions aren't enforced, and new settlement figures emerge without transparency, the public will naturally raise questions. This isn't just a matter of industrial relations, but also concerns the accountability of regional institutions," he stressed.

The Fate of the Elderly Becomes a Public Concern

Behind the legal and administrative polemics, the public is also highlighting the conditions of retirees, most of whom are elderly.

They are known to be employees who have served for decades at Perumda Tirtanadi and are now heavily dependent on pension rights for their daily living needs.

The retiree representative previously said that some of his colleagues were experiencing economic difficulties and needed certainty of immediate payment.

"We are only asking for our rights to be paid according to the court's decision," said one retiree.

Bobby Nasution Urged to Take Decisive Steps

This situation made the pressure on Bobby Nasution even stronger.

As the regional head and also the supervisor of the North Sumatra Regional-Owned Enterprise (BUMD), Bobby Nasution was urged to immediately summon the directors of Perumda Tirtanadi, bring the company together with the retiree's legal representative, and ensure that all settlements are carried out according to the law.

Observers believe that the local government's swift action is crucial to quell the controversy, which has now gone viral and attracted widespread public attention.

Because for the public, this case is no longer just a severance pay dispute, but has become a symbol of how the state and regional companies treat workers who have dedicated their entire lives. ( *red )