Batam's mayor challenges ICW over graft accusation<\/p>\n
Fadli
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nBatam<\/p>\n
Batam Mayor Nyat Kadir and his deputy, Asman Abnur, have planned
\nto sue the city branch of the non-governmental organization,
\nIndonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), should the ICW fail to provide
\nevidence that the mayor, his deputy and local Golkar Party
\nleaders are guilty of corruption and collusion.<\/p>\n
The ICW said they recently found copies of a secret agreement
\nthat they claim Kadir signed on Feb. 12 last year, requiring him
\nand Asman to consult with the city's Golkar leaders before
\nappointing officials to strategic positions.<\/p>\n
The agreement was dubbed an example of money politics between
\nGolkar and Kadir, ahead of his election as Batam's mayor.<\/p>\n
Supporters of Kadir and Asman said the mayor and his deputy
\nwould take legal action if ICW was unable to produce evidence to
\nback up its accusations.<\/p>\n
Edward Brando, a local legislator from the National Mandate
\nParty (PAN) who voted for Kadir and his running mate, said ICW's
\nfinding could not, however, be used as evidence.<\/p>\n
He also denied that there was a secret political deal with the
\nthen mayoralty candidates.<\/p>\n
Similar denials have also come from local Golkar secretary
\nTaba Iskandar, who chairs Batam's legislative council. He said
\nthere was no such written agreement.<\/p>\n
\"We did make a deal, but it was not specific. This is normal
\nin politics.\"<\/p>\n
Kadir told The Jakarta Post that his election as mayor had
\nnothing to do with money politics. \"It's not true. I was elected
\nbecause of public support and support from the city legislature.\"<\/p>\n
The Batam regency branch of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) has demanded that the legislative
\ncouncil set up a special committee to investigate Kadir's alleged
\nrole in the collusion and corruption scandal.<\/p>\n
Should the inquiry show that the mayor and his deputy were
\ninvolved in the case, his election should be annulled, Batam's
\nPDI Perjuangan chairman Sahat Sianturi said.<\/p>\n
Kadir and Asman had defeated PDI Perjuangan's two candidates,
\nNazief Soesila Dharma and Jhonson Napitupulu, to win the
\nmayoralty election last year.<\/p>\n
The PDI Perjuangan had vowed to mobilize its local members to
\nhit the city's streets if the House turned down its request for a
\ncorruption investigation into Kadir, Asman and Golkar leaders.<\/p>\n
Local ICW member Andre told the Post on Wednesday that many
\nGolkar supporters were promoted or appointed by Kadir to several
\nstrategic posts in Batam in return for their votes.<\/p>\n
\"We feel cheated by the mayor,\" Andre said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/batams-mayor-challenges-icw-over-graft-accusation-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }