Observers call for probe into 'tips' for auditors<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Legal observers on Saturday called on the
\ngovernment to investigate alleged corruption at city-owned market
\noperator PD Pasar Jaya.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Corruption Watch executive Bambang Widjoyanto and
\ncriminal law expert Loebby Loqman told The Jakarta Post that
\nopening a probe into Pasar Jaya would help the country's
\nanticorruption drive.<\/p>\n
\"State prosecutors should be proactive in inquiring into the
\npractice of under-the-table payments, and not necessarily wait
\nfor people to file a report,\" Bambang said.<\/p>\n
An article in the new antigraft law passed by the House of
\nRepresentatives last month, stipulates \"law enforcers will be
\nallowed to receive information on corruption from all parties,
\nincluding parties whose identity shall remain confidential\".<\/p>\n
Bambang, also the chairman of the Foundation of the Indonesian
\nLegal Aid Institute, said the antigraft law provided a strong
\nlegal basis for officials to probe alleged corruption at the
\nmarket operator.<\/p>\n
Pasar Jaya came under fire after its president Syahrir Tanjung
\nsaid in a hearing with city councilors last Thursday, that the
\nfirm paid \"incentives\" totaling Rp 60 million (US$8,570) to 10
\nemployees of the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) who
\naudited the company's 1997 financial report.<\/p>\n
Syahrir said the payments occurred with Governor Sutiyoso's
\nknowledge and approval.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso, however, said on Friday he knew nothing about the
\npayments, adding that they could be a legacy of the rampant
\ncorruption in the bureaucracy in the past.<\/p>\n
He described the payments as unnecessary. \"Auditing is part of
\nthe auditors' duties and the auditors receive salaries from the
\nstate for their jobs.\"<\/p>\n
The governor said he ordered Deputy Governor for
\nAdministrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi, who is also a member of the
\ncity's reform team, to investigate the case. The reform team was
\nestablished in June 1998 to eliminate corruption, collusion and
\nnepotism in the city administration.<\/p>\n
Attitude<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Loebby said the case was the result of the attitude
\nof businesspeople, who in the past considered giving auditors
\nmoney or other \"facilities\" while a financial audit was underway
\na common practice.<\/p>\n
\"People said giving the money was a sign of respect for the
\nauditors' work. In fact, that's the reason why corruption,
\ncollusion and nepotism mushroomed in the country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said it would be difficult to prove whether the money was
\ngiven to the auditors as a reward for their work, or to
\n\"persuade\" them not to file negative reports with the
\ncomptroller.<\/p>\n
\"A thorough investigation is therefore needed. Whose money was
\nused by PD Pasar Jaya for the auditors? Did the case bring losses
\nto the state,\" Loebby said.<\/p>\n
He suggested Pasar Jaya and BPKP prove to the public the
\n\"incentives\" given to the auditors were not meant as bribes.<\/p>\n
\"BPKP should reveal to the public its original audit... PD
\nPasar Jaya should also demonstrate to the public that the
\nincident did not cause the state losses,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Bambang also said BPKP should form an investigation team to
\njudge whether the work of the auditors was in line with BPKP's
\nstandard procedures.<\/p>\n
\"The internal team should investigate whether there was an
\nabuse of authority which violated auditing procedures,\" he said,
\nadding that the team could also probe the criminal aspects of the
\ncase. (asa)<\/p>",
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