Supreme Audit Agency wants follow-up on irregularities<\/p>\n
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) is asking for greater cooperation
\nfrom related offices in following up on its findings of
\nirregularities.<\/p>\n
Such cooperation has become urgent, BPK chief Anwar Nasution
\nsaid at a workshop on the state audit system on Friday, as the
\npublic has increased the pressure on the agency to act on its
\naudit findings.<\/p>\n
In the BPK's latest audit of selected state financial reports,
\nseveral possible major irregularities at a number of state-owned
\nenterprises were uncovered.<\/p>\n
"We call on the police and prosecutors to be serious about
\ninvestigating our findings, which will help eradicate corruption
\nin the country and improve the state's financial administration
\nand management in the future.<\/p>\n
"The BPK does not have the authority to do what the public
\nexpects after we have finished our audits. We are only auditors,
\nwe do not have any law enforcement officers or prison cells," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The agency submitted in November its audit report for the
\nfirst semester of 2005 to the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
In the report, the agency reported it found 11 cases of
\npossible irregularities at state firms, with potential losses to
\nthe state amounting to Rp 2.59 trillion (some US$259 million) and
\nUS$39.1 million.<\/p>\n
As with the BPK's previous findings, there has been little
\nfollow-up action on its findings, which were also reported to the
\nAttorney General's Office.<\/p>\n
Anwar pointed to other cases where the BPK received little
\nsupport, most notably in the matter of major irregularities in
\nthe disbursement of Bank Indonesia liquidation funds to support
\nbanks during the 1997 financial crisis (the BLBI cases).<\/p>\n
"The BPK finished the BLBI audit five years ago, but what has
\nhappened since then?" he asked.<\/p>\n
"Many of the investigations were dropped. Some suspects have
\nbeen allowed to go to Singapore and enjoy life there, without
\nhaving to take responsibility for their crimes, while we pay the
\nlosses."<\/p>\n
Anwar said the improved cooperation with the agency should
\nalso include the willingness of all state institutions to comply
\nwith the agency's authority as the country's supreme auditor, in
\naccordance with the Constitution, in examining their financial
\nadministrations.<\/p>\n
"This includes the tax office," he said. "Indonesia is perhaps
\nthe only country in the world where the state audit agency cannot
\naccess and audit the tax office."<\/p>\n
However, Anwar expects this to change. With the tax law
\namendments being deliberated in the House, and public calls for
\ngreater transparency in the tax regime, Anwar expects the BPK
\nwill soon be able to audit the tax office.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/supreme-audit-agency-wants-follow-up-on-irregularities-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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