KPU chairman faces new blow in corruption probe<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
More witnesses and suspects have blamed General Elections
\nCommission (KPU) chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin for corruption at
\nthe national election organizer, making it more difficult for him
\nto shrug off allegations over his role in the high-profile case.<\/p>\n
KPU deputy secretary-general Sussongko Suhardjo has said that
\nNazaruddin promised him \"help\" in return for testifying during
\nthe investigation in his favor.<\/p>\n
Sussongko affirmed that Nazaruddin had promised to provide
\nlegal help and to lobby certain institutions to get the charges
\nreduced if Sussongko and KPU treasurer Hamdani Amin agreed to
\nblame former KPU secretary-general Safder Yusaac for the
\ncorruption.<\/p>\n
\"If that's the case, Nazaruddin is totally irresponsible,\"
\nYusaac said after undergoing yet another round questioning by the
\nCorruption Eradication Commission (KPK).<\/p>\n
Both Sussongko and Hamdani have been declared suspects by the
\nKPK for their alleged involvement in graft within the KPU
\ninvolving the collection of a total of Rp 20 billion (US$2.10
\nmillion) in kickbacks from the KPU's election materials
\nsuppliers.<\/p>\n
The offers were made by Nazaruddin when Sussongko and Hamdani
\nwere summoned for the first time by the KPK following the arrest
\nof KPU member Mulyana W. Kusumah, who was allegedly caught red-
\nhanded trying to bribe a state auditor.<\/p>\n
Yusaac accused Nazaruddin of being the one responsible for all
\nthe corruption allegations against the KPU as it was Nazaruddin
\nwho had instructed and ordered the collection of the kickbacks.<\/p>\n
Nazaruddin has been the named on many occasions by colleagues
\nas the person primarily responsible for the collection and the
\ndistribution of the so-called tactical funds.<\/p>\n
The slush funds, collected at first to improve the welfare of
\nKPU members, were said to have also been shared later on with
\nofficials from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and members of the
\nHouse of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Sussongko's lawyer, Erick S. Paat, said BPK officials
\nHarijanto and Djapiten Nainggolan, both members of the teams
\nassigned to audit the KPU, had received Rp 100 million and Rp 350
\nmillion respectively.<\/p>\n
Nazaruddin himself has consistently denied knowing about the
\nslush funds, let alone instructing their collection and
\ndistribution.<\/p>\n
KPK chief Taufiequrrahman Ruki said Nazaruddin would have to
\nclarify the existence and use of the funds, while have been
\nconsistently referred to by the KPU as \"tactical funds\".<\/p>\n
\"So far, there is little that points directly to Nazaruddin.
\nBut he is the chairman of the KPU and should explain about these
\nfunds,\" he said, adding that the KPK was likely to name more
\nsuspects this week.<\/p>\n
Nazaruddin is scheduled to be questioned by the KPK on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Ruki said the KPK had also set up three teams to investigate
\nseparate corruption cases in the KPU connected with the bribery
\nallegations, the tactical funds, and the procurement of seven
\nelectoral items.<\/p>\n
\"These teams will work simultaneously and confirm each other's
\nwork. In fact, we're getting new facts from the cross-
\nexaminations conducted by these three teams,\" he said.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the KPK questioned KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti as
\nwell as two other KPU members, Valina Singka Subekti and Rusadi
\nKantaprawira.<\/p>\n
Both Valina and Rusadi were in charge of the procurement of
\nprincipal electoral materials, which process is believed by the
\nBPK to contain irregularities amounting to over Rp 90 billion.<\/p>\n
The KPK also questioned KPU treasurer Hamdani, deputy
\ntreasurer M. Dentjik, and PT Royal Sana director Guntur
\nSastrawijaya on Tuesday. Guntur's firm won a tender from the KPU.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpu-chairman-faces-new-blow-in-corruption-probe-1447893297",
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