KPK remains tight-lipped on Puteh probe<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Embattled Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh again appeared at the
\noffice of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday,
\nwhere KPK officials asked him dozens of questions about his role
\nin the alleged markup in the purchase of a Russian helicopter.<\/p>\n
Although the investigation is now a month old, the commission
\nhas yet to signal when the case will be brought to court. After
\nquestioning Puteh, the KPK officials remained tight-lipped over
\nthe progress of its investigation.<\/p>\n
Following the questioning, Puteh told journalists that he was
\nasked some 35 questions, most of which were related to meetings
\nthat were held before the Aceh provincial administration decided
\nto purchase the helicopter.<\/p>\n
\"All of the questions were merely following up on earlier
\nquestions,\" Puteh said during an impromptu press conference
\nfollowing the questioning.<\/p>\n
He declined to elaborate, but said he would appear at the KPK
\noffice for further questioning. Puteh has appeared at the office
\nseveral times over the last month for questioning in the alleged
\ngraft case.<\/p>\n
Puteh is accused of playing a central role in the alleged
\nmarkup in the purchase of the helicopter by the Aceh
\nadministration in 2002, which reportedly cost the state Rp 4
\nbillion (US$5.4 million) in losses.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Monday, Puteh's lawyer O.C. Kaligis said his client
\nhad submitted additional supporting documents to the KPK's
\ninvestigative team, including documents on meetings that were
\nheld between the governor and several regents prior to the
\npurchase of the helicopter.<\/p>\n
\"Based on these documents, it is clear that the purchase of
\nthe helicopter was agreed to by all of the councillors as well as
\nthe regents. The documents also show that all parties agreed to
\ndisburse the funds (for the purchase) from regency budgets,\"
\nKaligis said.<\/p>\n
Besides investigating Puteh, who has links to the Golkar
\nParty, the KPK has also questioned several other Aceh officials
\nover the case.<\/p>\n
However, many observers have expressed doubt over the
\npossibility of the investigation being successfully concluded,
\nsaying several of the country's top officials benefited from the
\nalleged mark-up.<\/p>\n
Puteh is still acting as Aceh governor, although his powers as
\ngovernor and the administrator of the civil emergency in the
\nprovince have been effectively stripped by a recent presidential
\ninstruction.<\/p>\n
Aceh Deputy Governor Azwar Abubakar has been appointed to run
\nthe Aceh administration, while Aceh Police chief Insp. Gen.
\nBachrumsyah Kasman has been appointed to oversee the integrated
\noperations in the province, including security operations.<\/p>\n
Once the KPK completes its investigation into Puteh, the case
\nwill be brought to the Corruption Court, which was recently
\nestablished to allow for the speedy hearing of corruption cases
\nhandled by the KPK.<\/p>\n
Among the state officials implicated in high-profile
\ncorruption cases being handled by the KPK, Puteh is the first
\nofficially to be declared a suspect.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpk-remains-tight-lipped-on-puteh-probe-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}