More evidence revealed in Yogyakarta scandals<\/p>\n
Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Further information has surfaced relating to the alleged
\ninvolvement of local legislators in two corruption scandals,
\nincluding the election of Yogyakarta's deputy governor and the
\nconstruction of the Jogya Expo Center (JEC).<\/p>\n
Justice Party (PK) Yogyakarta branch chairman Agus Purnomo
\nsaid his party's sole legislator, Boedi Dewantoro, told him that
\nhe was offered a Rp 35 million bribe from the candidate who was
\ndefeated contesting the election.<\/p>\n
Agus would not name the person who offered the bribe but there
\nwere only two candidates taking part in the election -- Paku Alam
\nIX and his step brother Angling Kusumo.<\/p>\n
The provincial legislative council elected Paku Alam deputy
\ngovernor last year.<\/p>\n
However, Agus said Boedi had returned the money to a senior
\nmember of the defeated candidate's campaign team.<\/p>\n
"The psychological situation at that time forced him to take
\nit and he did so, but he returned it two days later," Agus said.<\/p>\n
"He never had an intention to deliberately receive the money,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Along with other legislators, Boedi has also been accused of
\ninvolvement in another corruption scandal -- the building project
\nof the Jogya Expo Center (JEC) by construction company PT Adhi
\nKarya.<\/p>\n
The legislators are charged with taking Rp 150 million in
\nbribes.<\/p>\n
Agus said Boedi had reported the two bribe cases to the PK's
\nprovincial council as part of his weekly report, and therefore
\nthe party considered him to have no involvement in both scandals.<\/p>\n
"However, if the court finds him (Boedi) guilty in both cases
\nwith no doubt, the Justice Party is ready to take stern action by
\ndropping his membership as a party cadre," Agus said.<\/p>\n
Local legislators have also been accused of taking Rp 1
\nbillion in bribes from the campaign team of the elected vice
\ngovernor, Paku Alam.<\/p>\n
The Justice Party's revelation has therefore provided further
\nindications that legislators from other parties might have also
\nreceived bribes from the defeated camp of Angling.<\/p>\n
Teguh Purnomo, coordinator of a team investigating the two
\nscandals, welcomed the JP's disclosure, saying it was further
\nproof of unlawful practices within the legislature.<\/p>\n
"Therefore, there is no reason at all to stop the
\ninvestigation process," he said.<\/p>\n
The investigation could be treated as an entry point to
\nuncover various cases allegedly involving corrupt legislators in
\nthe province, he added.<\/p>\n
Local prosecutors have pledged that they would summon all 53
\nmembers of the legislature in connection with the two bribery
\nscandals.<\/p>\n
However, the investigation is waiting for approval from
\nMinister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno.<\/p>\n
Also, Syukri Fadholi of the United Development Party (PPP)
\nsaid at the weekend that his party's investigation team had found
\nevidence that a contractor responsible for the JEC project had
\ntransferred Rp 150 million to bank accounts belonging to two
\nlegislators.<\/p>\n
Adhi Karya has denied it bribed legislators to help it win the
\ntender.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-evidence-revealed-in-yogyakarta-scandals-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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