AG says it will take months 'to wrap up corruption probe'
JAKARTA (JP): Acting attorney general Ismudjoko said on Tuesday his office needs at least three months to complete the investigations into 27,865 cases of alleged corruption involving 12 ministries and worth a total US$405.12 million.
Three phases must be concluded before the cases are resolved, Ismudjoko was quoted by Antara as saying.
The first stage includes a month of technical studies to prepare the method of investigation, lists of credible witnesses and an inventory of evidence.
The second step comprises a two-month citation and cross- examination process with related parties, based on the priority of the cases, he said. "We will place emphasis on cases which attract people's attention."
The last phase is evaluation. "Every act of corruption found would be charged under Law No. 3/1971 on Corruption."
The acting officer also revealed four strategic moves to deal with the matter: the review and deliberation of related bills, the revocation of special treatment for certain citizens, firm action against violators and the pooling of corruption reports with strong evidence at the Attorney General's Office.
During the meeting at the Attorney General's Office with inspector generals from several ministries, Ismudjoko announced data on corrupt, collusive and nepotistic practices as follows:
* In the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations cases are not recorded, but total losses amounted to Rp 73.916 billion.
* In the Ministry of Public Works, there are 21 cases worth Rp 3.625 billion, while in the Ministry of Mines and Energy there are seven cases worth Rp 212 billion and US$92.9 million.
* In the Ministry of Home Affairs a total of 14,742 cases are recorded, worth Rp 54.987 billion.
* In the Ministry of Communications a total of 15 cases are listed, worth Rp 1.187 trillion and US$31.62 million.
* The Ministry of Religious Affairs has 83 cases worth Rp 2.82 billion and US$9.18 million.
* The Ministry of Finance has the largest number of cases, 8,884 worth Rp 21.531 billion.
* In the Ministry of Education and Culture, there are four cases with total losses amounting to Rp 3.3 billion.
* The office of the state minister for state-owned enterprises has six cases while the Ministry of Information has two cases, but both have yet to complete calculating total losses.
* Data have yet to be compiled in the office of the state minister of agrarian affairs/head of land affairs agency.
Ismudjoko took over the position as attorney general from Lt. Gen. A.M. Ghalib, who is being investigated for allegedly taking bribes from several parties.
Separately, coordinator of the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) Teten Masduki called on President B.J. Habibie to disclose the audit of Ghalib's accounts to the public.
"We are also demanding further inquiries into 12 deposits and three clearing accounts under the name of Ghalib and his wife," Teten said in a statement on Tuesday. (edt)