Councillors plan to return bribe to avoid prosecution<\/p>\n
Yuliansyah, The Jakarta Post, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan<\/p>\n
Fearing the legal consequences, some South Kalimantan legislative
\ncouncillors say they are planning to return a "reward" given to
\nthem by the local government for approving the 2003 provincial
\nbudget.<\/p>\n
The provincial administration allocated Rp 1.3 billion for the
\ncouncillors to smooth the budget deliberations. Each member of
\nthe 54-strong council received Rp 10 million, but those joining
\nthe budget committee earned more.<\/p>\n
The issue only surfaced after a number of aggrieved
\ncouncillors complained about the unfair splitting of the money,
\nand the fact it was less than they usually paid themselves.<\/p>\n
One councillor, who agreed to be interviewed on condition of
\nanonymity, said he would return the money due to fear that he
\nwould be accused of accepting bribes, which was classified as a
\ncrime.<\/p>\n
"I'd better return the money, otherwise I will be jailed for
\nlife," the councillor said on Friday.<\/p>\n
He said many of his colleagues had claimed they would follow
\nsuit.<\/p>\n
The South Sulawesi prosecutors office was planning to
\ninvestigate the case, but the councillor said all the council
\nmembers would have returned the money before the investigation
\nstarted.<\/p>\n
Legal practitioners and non-governmental organizations have
\ncriticized the councillors, branding them advocates of
\ninstitutionalized corruption.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the South Kalimantan chapter of the Indonesian
\nLawyers Association demanded prosecutors investigate, even if the
\nmoney was returned.<\/p>\n
Association chairman Sabri Noor Herman said receiving the
\nmoney could be categorized as corruption as it inflicted losses
\nto the state.<\/p>\n
"Councillors could be charged with violating anti-corruption
\nlaws," Sabri said.<\/p>\n
"Media reports should serve as a evidence of the corruption
\nand collusion practices."<\/p>\n
Corruption carries a maximum life sentence according to the
\n1999 anti-corruption law.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, council internal affairs coordinator Syamsuri said
\nhe was not affected by the prosecutors' plan to investigate the
\ncase.<\/p>\n
He said the budget for the rewards had been approved by the
\ncouncil and the local government.<\/p>\n
"Therefore if the case is investigated, it must target not
\nonly councillors or members of the council's internal affairs,
\nbut government officials who joined the budget committee," he
\nsaid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/councillors-plan-to-return-bribe-to-avoid-prosecution-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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