Team to probe graft in state enterprises, ministries<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially handed over on
\nTuesday a number of files on alleged major corruption cases
\ninvolving state enterprises and ministries to the newly
\nestablished special antigraft team for investigation.<\/p>\n
"Today, we received information from the President. (We will)
\nexamine it starting today," Hendarman Supandji, the deputy
\nattorney general for special crimes who also leads the team, told
\nthe press after a meeting between the team's leaders and Susilo.<\/p>\n
Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi said at the same press
\nbriefing that the President had assigned the Coordinating Team
\nfor Corruption Eradication to investigate at least 16 alleged
\nmajor graft cases in state enterprises and ministries.<\/p>\n
"There are at least 16 cases, most of which (have caused state
\nlosses) of more than Rp 50 billion. One of them involves up to Rp
\n2.1 trillion, two others Rp 1.2 trillion and one Rp 871 billion,"
\nadded Sudi, a close aide to President Susilo.<\/p>\n
Sudi however declined to name the state institutions accused
\nof corruption, arguing that it could disrupt the planned
\ninvestigations.<\/p>\n
Last week, Susilo announced that the government would launch
\ninvestigations into at least 16 state enterprises, four
\nministries and three private companies as well as hunt down 12
\ngraft criminals who had fled abroad.<\/p>\n
It was unclear from what sources Susilo obtained information
\non the alleged corruption in the state institutions. However, it
\nappeared that the President had been provided with reports by the
\nSupreme Audit Agency (BPK) concerning alleged misuse of state
\nbudgetary funds.<\/p>\n
Government sources said that among the cases to be probed were
\nmatters involving the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of
\nHealth, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, and the
\nMinistry of Communications, as well as state oil firm Pertamina
\nand electricity company PT PLN.<\/p>\n
Hendarman added that investigations into the corruption cases,
\nwhich were ordered by the President, were also likely to target
\nseveral offices around the presidential complex.<\/p>\n
"It likely (involves those) around the State Palace," he said,
\nadding that he had not yet opened the files he had just received
\nfrom the President.<\/p>\n
Most of the graft cases involved procurement by state
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
Hendarman said the team would first examine the information
\nfrom the President. Should they find indications of graft, either
\npolice or prosecutors would investigate the cases, he added.<\/p>\n
"We'll report it should there be any developments. We are also
\nrequired to make a written report to the President every three
\nmonths," he said, adding that the President did not give any
\ndeadline for completion of the graft investigations.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Susilo asked the team not to worry about
\npossible disruption to national stability or the economy as a
\nconsequence of the national anticorruption campaign.<\/p>\n
"It is the authority of the President," Hendarman said,
\nquoting Susilo.<\/p>\n
The President also asserted that no-one would be allowed to
\nintervene into the team's investigations.<\/p>\n
The 51-strong special antigraft team was set up last week to
\nintensify and improve the government-led anticorruption drive,
\nwhich has been running for about six months but has yet to record
\nsignificant results.<\/p>\n
Consisting of prosecutors, police officials and state
\nauditors, the team is tasked with investigating and prosecuting
\ngraft cases, hunting down and arresting suspects, as well as
\ntracing and preserving assets from being laundered or illegally
\ntransferred abroad.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/team-to-probe-graft-in-state-enterprises-ministries-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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