KPU chief further implicated in alleged graft case<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
General Elections Commission (KPU) chief Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin
\nwas once again dealt a body blow on Monday that should make it
\nharder for him to prove his innocence as another senior KPU
\nofficial corroborated his role in alleged massive graft at the
\ncommission.<\/p>\n
Former commission secretary-general Safder Yusaac told reporters on
\nMonday after hours of questioning by the Corruption Eradication
\nCommission (KPK) that Nazaruddin had given a verbal instruction
\nto raise Rp 20 billion (US$2.10 million) in "tactical funds."<\/p>\n
These funds, largely collected in kickbacks from companies
\nthat supplied electoral materials, were intended to be shared out
\nwith KPU members and secretariat officials, legislators and
\nofficials of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).<\/p>\n
"Yes, the collection of tactical funds was verbally ordered by
\nPak Nazaruddin to be used to improve the welfare of KPU members,"
\nSafder said, adding that the instruction to collect the kickbacks
\ncould not be delegated to anyone else.<\/p>\n
He also admitted to personally giving money to the BPK when it
\nstarted auditing the KPU's use of a Rp 3.9 trillion for the
\nholding of last year's general elections.<\/p>\n
However, Safder did not clarify whether the payment had been
\nsuggested by the KPU or the BPK.<\/p>\n
Safder's admissions follow previous ones by KPU deputy
\nsecretary-general Sussongko Suhardjo and treasurer Hamdani Amin,
\nwho said Nazaruddin had ordered them to collect funds from
\nsupplier firms, and to pay the BPK.<\/p>\n
Both Sussongko and Hamdani have been declared suspects by the
\nKPK, along with KPU member Mulyana W. Kusumah, who was caught
\nred-handed proffering a bribe during a meeting.<\/p>\n
Mulyana has also said that part of the money used to bribe the
\nBPK was approved by Nazaruddin.<\/p>\n
Nazaruddin has denied any knowledge or involvement in such
\nactivities, although he said late last week that he might have
\nheard about a bribery plan but chose to ignore it.<\/p>\n
Hamdani said a total of Rp 520 million was paid in four
\ninstallments to the BPK. The first two payments were made by
\nSafder, while the last two were made by KPU deputy treasurer M. Dentjik.<\/p>\n
On Monday, former legislator Hamdan Zoelva, now with the Star
\nReform Party (PBR), visited the KPK office to meet with KPK chief
\nTaufiequrrahman Ruki, who was absent at the time.<\/p>\n
Hamdan refused to make any comment, despite suspicion that he
\nhad come to return part of the "tactical funds". Hamdani
\npreviously said that a total of Rp 100 million had been shared
\nwith legislators.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, KPU member Anas Urbaningrum confirmed on Monday
\nthat all KPU members had received honorariums in addition to
\ntheir salaries, but claimed the payments were above board.<\/p>\n
"It was official. I can't say if they were legitimate or not,
\nas this concerns a matter of legal definition. But all of the
\nreceipts and copies are official," he said.<\/p>\n
Anas said these honorariums, which were paid by the KPU
\ntreasurer, had also been reported to the BPK and were based on a
\nKPU regulation.<\/p>\n
It now appears that the KPU chairman and deputy chairmen
\nreceived Rp 14.5 million, while members received Rp 12.5 million
\neach -- as well as a transportation allowance equivalent to 200
\nliters of gas per month.<\/p>\n
"The KPU deputy was involved in all the working groups, and
\nthe chairman and members were involved based on their job
\ndescriptions," Anas explained.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpu-chief-further-implicated-in-alleged-graft-case-1447893297",
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