Agung admits to receiving Rp. 1.6b, but not from Sutiyoso

Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction at the City Council Agung Imam Sumanto admitted on Thursday that he had disbursed Rp 1.6 billion (US$177,777) to victims of the July 27 tragedy.

But he denied the money was from City Governor Sutiyoso, a suspect in the bloody attack on the party's headquarters in Central Jakarta, on July 27, 1996.

"Most of the money was from party supporters who were sympathetic to the victims," he told reporters at the City Council building.

He revealed that Rp 1.1 billion of the money had been donated by four businessmen, while the remaining Rp 500 million was given by the party.

He denied the money was compensation agreed upon at a peace deal between the party and Sutiyoso, who was military commander of Jakarta at the time of the tragedy.

"It has nothing to do with the peace deal," councillor Agung said.

He claimed the party decided to collect the money based on demands made by the 124 victims, who were jailed for four months and three days after the tragedy.

He said the victims had each received Rp 10 million, while the remaining Rp 360 million was given to the Victims of the July 27 Tragedy Union.

"They asked me for money, now they are blaming me," he said.

Agung claimed the donation had become the party's policy.

"If party members aren't aware of it than it is their own fault," he said.

The money was reportedly from a businessman appointed to do a project worth billions of rupiah by the city administration. The businessman then gave the money as "a commission" to Agung.

But Agung denied being involved in any city administration project.

Separately, councillor Ugiek Soegihardjo of PDI Perjuangan denied the money given to the victims was party policy.

"It is not party policy. I have never heard of such a thing," Ugiek said.

He urged the party to summon Agung to clarify the money and to punish him if the money was proven to be from Sutiyoso.

He was informed that many of the 124 victims of the July 27 tragedy, including those who were now councillors in other provinces, had yet to receive the money.

Asked whether the party should dismiss Agung, who is also allegedly involved in other "bribery" cases, Ugiek said, "it depends on the party".

Ugiek earlier announced he was bribed with Rp 20 million by the city-owned firm, PT Jakarta International Trade Fair, due to an investigation he and some other councillors previously conducted on an alleged scam in the company.

He said the money was from Agung, but later claimed the money was from party supporters.