KPK should take over graft probes in West Java: NGO<\/p>\n
Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post\/Bandung<\/p>\n
The powerful Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) should take
\nover graft probes into West Java councillors and government
\nofficials, a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) said
\non Monday.<\/p>\n
The NGOs slammed provincial prosecutors for their tardiness in
\ninvestigating corruption cases in the province and for halting
\nproceedings in some cases without good reason.<\/p>\n
Effendi Saman, the leader of the People's Resistance Against
\nCorruption group, said it would take its demands to KPK officials
\nin Jakarta on Thursday.<\/p>\n
One of the graft investigations frozen was a probe into former
\nWest Java governor Nuriana, Effendi said.<\/p>\n
Nuriana is accused of embezzling Rp 224 billion (US$25
\nmillion) of public money during his term in office between 1999
\nand 2002.<\/p>\n
State Audit Agency (BPK) investigations uncovered evidence
\nthat the governor had taken money from three foundations chaired
\nby Nuriana worth Rp 47 billion, and stole another Rp 3.1 billion
\nwhen buying ceremonial tents for the province.<\/p>\n
The finding were initially followed up by West Java
\nprosecutors, but the investigation was later stopped.<\/p>\n
Effendi said the prosecutors were also slow in probing alleged
\ngraft committed by about 100 former West Java councillors, who
\nserved the province between 1999 and this year.<\/p>\n
The accusations, which involved irregularities in the purchase
\nof sections of land, initially came to light last year, he said.<\/p>\n
However, prosecutors had only started sending case files on
\nthe councillors to the courts during the past two months, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Out of 100 former West Java councillors believed to be
\ninvolved in the Rp 33.4 billion scam, only one has already been
\ntaken to court -- former deputy chairman Kurdi Moekri.<\/p>\n
Effendi demanded the KPK re-investigate the cases, so the
\npublic would see justice was being done.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpk-should-take-over-graft-probes-in-west-java-ngo-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}