Formal probe into Ancol scam to begin<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The City Prosecutors' Office will proceed with a
\nformal investigation into the alleged misuse of PT Pembangunan
\nJaya Ancol (PJA) for recent official trips abroad after
\nquestioning 18 city officials connected with the case.<\/p>\n
The office's head, Basri Arief, said on Monday city
\nprosecutors handling the case concluded that \"all the officials
\nquestioned have a potential to be named suspects in connection
\nwith the scam\".<\/p>\n
\"I have their names on my desk, and I will announce the
\npreliminary investigation's result soon,\" Basri said.<\/p>\n
The officials, Basri said, include nine officials who were
\nhanded administrative sanctions by Governor Sutiyoso and two top
\nofficials who were found not guilty in the scam.<\/p>\n
When asked about the possibility of charging the two top
\nofficials, Basri said it all would be based on the evidence found
\nduring the previous investigation.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso announced last week administrative sanctions be
\nimposed on nine city officials, mostly low-ranking staffers, for
\nadministrative irregularities.<\/p>\n
Based on the City Inspectorate findings, the officials were
\nquestioned over alleged misuse of funds and participation in an
\noverseas trip without the governor's consent.<\/p>\n
Basri said six city councillors taking part in the overseas
\ntrips would also be questioned, pending approval from the
\nminister of home affairs and regional autonomy.<\/p>\n
The Law No.4\/1999 on composition and status of the legislative
\nbodies stipulates that the minister's approval is required to
\nsummon councillors in connection with legal cases.<\/p>\n
Basri dismissed speculation that the formal investigation
\nwould target only low ranking officials and allow their superiors
\nto escape.<\/p>\n
\"I guarantee we will not base our investigation merely on the
\nfindings of an internal probe performed by the city
\nadministration,\" said Basri.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the city administration announced on Monday it had
\ndecided to delay announcing the fate of PT PJA director, Rushadi,
\nover the scam, citing incomplete audit by public accountants.<\/p>\n
The trips drew controversy due to allegations that PJA paid Rp
\n2.1 billion to fund the so-called comparative studies for a group
\nof 45 people comprising councillors and city officials between
\nOct. 9 and Oct. 15. The trips were to three different
\ndestinations -- Cape Town and Johannesburg, Sydney, and Tokyo.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso has confirmed that the fund was disbursed
\nwithout his approval as the chief commissioner of the company.<\/p>\n
A city prosecutor involved in the team investigating the case
\nhas revealed that the probe would focus on allegations that some
\n40 city officials and councillors had received a double allowance
\nfor the trip from the city budget and PT PJA, the developer of
\nthe Ancol recreation park. (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/formal-probe-into-ancol-scam-to-begin-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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