KPK pushes ahead with Theo probe<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) plans to question
\nmore witnesses in connection with an alleged graft case involving
\nformer chief of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Theo F.
\nToemion.<\/p>\n
KPK deputy chairman for investigation Tumpak Hatorangan
\nPanggabean said on Thursday that KPK investigators would summon
\nthe members of the management board of PT Catur Dwi Karsa, a
\ncompany which was appointed by Theo to carry out an investment
\npromotion program in 2003.<\/p>\n
\"They didn't do some of the projects (they were meant to do),
\nbut they got the money,\" he told reporters after a ceremony
\nmarking the second anniversary of the commission.<\/p>\n
Theo was detained by the KPK late on Wednesday after the
\ncommission named him a suspect in the case involving the
\ninvestment promotion program. It is estimated that the financial
\nirregularities cost the state Rp 32 billion in financial losses.<\/p>\n
According to the KPK, Theo did not hold a tender process for
\nthe third party company to be assigned to carry out the
\ninvestment promotion program as required by the anticorruption
\nlaw.<\/p>\n
Separately, KPK Chairman Taufiqurrahman Ruki said that his
\noffice would likely question former Bank Mandiri president E.C.W.
\nNeloe, who is currently being held at Salemba Penitentiary over a
\nseparate graft case, to seek more information about Theo's case.<\/p>\n
Neloe allegedly approved the disbursement of Bank Mandiri
\nmoney valued at Rp 47 billion to help finance the investment
\npromotion program based only on a memo from Theo.<\/p>\n
\"Let's see how the investigation proceeds,\" Ruki said, adding
\nthat the investigators were still examining whether the money was
\ndisbursed by Bank Mandiri's management or by individuals.<\/p>\n
He added that investigators were also examining whether the
\nmoney went to the pockets of individuals or to the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), in which Theo is a member.<\/p>\n
Theo, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was
\nappointed as the chief of the BKPM in 2001 during the government
\nof President Megawati Soekarnoputri, the PDI-P leader.<\/p>\n
He was dismissed from the position following an incident in
\nwhich he was accused of assaulting a foreign student and
\nscuffling with foreign residents at the Jakarta International
\nSchool (JIS) in April.<\/p>\n
An official close to the graft investigation said that
\naccording to Theo, not a single rupiah of the Bank Mandiri funds
\nwent to PDI-P, and that any mistake made during the
\nimplementation of the investment promotion program would be his
\nresponsibility.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, there has only been one PDI-P member to show a
\ngesture of sympathy for Theo, legislator Panda Nababan.<\/p>\n
Separately, Theo appeared somewhat less than content in the
\ndetention facility at the Jakarta Police headquarters. Theo
\nremained quiet and was in no mood for conversation with other
\ndetainees inside the cell, which has no air conditioning, state
\nnews agency Antara reported.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpk-pushes-ahead-with-theo-probe-1447893297",
"image": ""
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