Investigation into Sulawesi bribery allegations to go forward<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Despite recent objections from councillors, the government
\nprosecutor's office in Kendari, capital of Southeast Sulawesi,
\nsaid it would go ahead with its plan to investigate the alleged
\nbribery in the recent gubernatorial election in the province.<\/p>\n
The chief prosecutor, N. E. Worotikan, said here on Monday he
\nhad just received information from the Attorney General's Office
\nthat the central bank had issued permission for investigators to
\ncheck the bank accounts of 43 councillors who cast their votes
\nduring the election, but the letter had yet to be delivered to
\nKendari.<\/p>\n
\"The checking of the councillors' bank accounts will be
\nconducted soon after the letter reaches the government
\nprosecutor's office,\" he said, adding that a team of eight senior
\nattorneys was collecting necessary data and information to carry
\nout the investigation.<\/p>\n
The bribery case rose to the surface when councillor La Upe
\nRasyid admitted to the local press that a number of councillors,
\nincluding himself, had accepted bribes to vote for Ali Mase who
\nlater gained a major victory in the gubernatorial election. But,
\nthe councillor did not have the opportunity to make this
\nadmission to law enforcers following his death in a traffic
\naccident in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Dec. 5, 2002.<\/p>\n
Worotikan also said that he and other prosecutors in the city
\naccepted the Southeast Sulawesi provincial legislative council's
\ninvitation to hold a hearing to discuss the case.<\/p>\n
\"We will give a clear explanation of our investigation into
\nthe case despite the recent swearing-in of the new governor and
\nthe deputy governor,\" he said, explaining that the team was still
\nquestioning 17 other witnesses, including several other
\ncouncillors, in connection with the bribery case.<\/p>\n
In accordance with Law No. 25\/1999 on regional autonomy, Ali
\nMase's victory in the gubernatorial election will be annulled and
\na new election will be held if Ali Mase and his deputy are found
\nguilty of bribing the councillors.<\/p>\n
Abidin Ramli, a councillor who many believe was not involved
\nin the bribery case, called on investigators to do their best in
\ntheir probe that has become a prolonged polemic among the local
\nelite.<\/p>\n
\"If the investigation is not completed, the public will remain
\nindifferent toward the local administration, including the
\ngovernor,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Arhab Paproeka, a senior lawyer who represented the
\nlegislators in the case, called on investigators to halt their
\ninvestigation since the political process ranging from the
\nelection to the swearing-in ceremony had been completed and the
\nnew governor was already in office.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, I have made contact with the central bank and its
\nofficials confirmed that there has been no permit issued for the
\ninvestigators to check the councillors' bank accounts,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ali and his deputy Yusran Silondae who won the gubernatorial
\nelection on Nov. 21, 2002, were sworn in by home minister Hari
\nSabarno last week, pending the result of the attorneys'
\ninvestigation into the case.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/investigation-into-sulawesi-bribery-allegations-to-go-forward-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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