All KPU officials got kickbacks: Treasurer

All KPU officials got kickbacks: Treasurer

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 Competition (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.