All KPU officials 'got kickbacks'
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Apparently not wanting to go down alone, General Elections Commission (KPU) treasurer Hamdani Amin, who has recently been declared a graft suspect, told investigators on Friday that all the KPU officials had received money from private companies, which had won business tenders from the commission.
Hamdani told reporters that all KPU members and several staffers had each received a portion of approximately Rp 20 billion (US$2.10 million) given by the firms, ostensibly as kickbacks for winning tenders to supply election materials.
"All KPU members received the money. Each received a portion of the money according to their positions and duties," said Hamdani.
His statement should boost the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) effort to crack open even wider the corruption inside the KPU, which has been long alleged by the public, and thus investigate all KPU members.
Eleven KPU members were elected in 2001. Imam B. Prasodjo and Mudji Sutrisno resigned in 2003 due to conflicts of interest, while Hamid Awaluddin was appointed Minister of Justice and Human Rights late last year.
The current remaining members are chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin, deputy Ramlan Surbakti, Mulyana W. Kusumah, Rusadi Kantaprawira, Daan Dimara, Chusnul Mar'iyah and Valina Singka Subekti.
Suspected corruption linking all KPU members has also been alleged by the Supreme Audit Agency's (BPK) investigative audit report, which indicated misuse of over Rp 90 billion of some Rp 800 billion spent to procure materials for last year's legislative election.
In the report, the BPK alleges a conspiracy to ensure that particular firms obtained tenders in return for kickbacks. The allegation has also been authenticated by the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), which said it had discovered indications of unfairness in the selection of firms.
A number of firms that won tenders are PT Survindo Indah Prestasi, PT Tjakrindo Mas and CV Almas (for ballot boxes), PT Kertas Letjes and PT Temprina Media Grafika (ballot paper), PT Kertas Kraft Aceh (ballot envelopes), PT Elit Permai Metal Work (polling booths), PT Integrasi Teknologi (information technology), PT Pura Barutama (voter cards), and a number of Indian firms (ink).
KPU deputy Ramlan Surbakti refused to give a statement regarding Hamdani's confession, saying that the KPU chairman would be the one to give any statements regarding KPU matters.
"We've all agreed that all statements will be made by the chairman because he's responsible for the KPU inside and out," Ramlan said, adding that the KPU would be prepared to explain itself to the House of Representatives on Monday.
Nazaruddin did not answer a call by The Jakarta Post, but he has reportedly denied any knowledge about receiving any money from anyone, including tender winners, on the procurement of election materials.
Hamdani was named a suspect on Wednesday after the KPK discovered evidence of him receiving money from winning firms, and found US$150,000 cash in his safe at the KPU office.
KPK deputy Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean said it was the Rp 20 billion that turned out to be what the KPU called "tactical funds", which were partially used by KPU member Mulyana to bribe a BPK auditor to influence audit results.
Mulyana, the first to be named as a suspect, said the bribery had been agreed upon by other KPU members. Another suspect in the corruption case is KPU secretary-general Sussongko Suhardjo, who has been accused of ordering the bribe to be paid and providing the bribe money.