Activists suspect embezzlement

Multa Fidrus, Tangerang

Activists have called on the Tangerang Prosecutor's Office to investigate an alleged embezzlement of a Rp 3.3 billion (US$351,064) community development fund by the regency's councillors.

Tonny Wismantoro of the Tangerang Government Watch said on Monday that the Tangerang Council had recommended the allocation of the fund from the 2004 regental budget, channeled through the local social welfare agency to help finance community service activities. Each of the 11 factions at the council was slated to receive Rp 300 million from the agency prior to the legislative election.

The councillors, Tonny said, had asked for the money from the agency and promised to disburse it directly to Islamic school foundations, mosque construction committees and other religious organizations they claimed had requested financial aid from the council.

"There is no legal basis for councillors to distribute funds directly. The council is only authorized to approve the annual budget proposal submitted by the administration," he said.

He questioned who would monitor the councillors' disbursement of funds.

"We have strong evidence that many factions distributed the community development fund to their councillors as uang kadeudeuh to mark the end of their tenure," Tonny said, using the Sundanese word for gratuity.

He said although no official report had been filed over the alleged embezzlement, prosecutors could launch an investigation into the matter.

"If the Tangerang Prosecutor's Office doesn't take any action, we will file a report with the Attorney General's Office in Jakarta," he added.

Meanwhile, the Movement of Islamic Boarding School Students' (Gerakan Santri) Tangerang chairman, Andi, said the councillors had a open opportunity to misuse the fund for personal purpose, as had occurred in the high-profile West Sumatra case.

"The councilors can simply claim they already distributed the fund. Who would know whether they told the truth or not," he said.

Andi also urged prosecutors to probe the alleged embezzlement by the 44 Tangerang councillors.

"Forty West Sumatra councillors were sentenced to two years in jail and fined Rp 100 million each. They also had to pay Rp 108 million each to compensate for state losses. This was only possible because the prosecutors there conducted a serious investigation," he said.

Councillor Anugrah of the Justice Party said his faction would welcome an investigation.

"Our faction did not receive any money from the social welfare agency. We only suggested to those who came and requested community development aid that they deal directly with the agency," he said.