Batam's mayor challenges ICW over graft accusation

Fadli The Jakarta Post Batam

Batam Mayor Nyat Kadir and his deputy, Asman Abnur, have planned to sue the city branch of the non-governmental organization, Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), should the ICW fail to provide evidence that the mayor, his deputy and local Golkar Party leaders are guilty of corruption and collusion.

The ICW said they recently found copies of a secret agreement that they claim Kadir signed on Feb. 12 last year, requiring him and Asman to consult with the city's Golkar leaders before appointing officials to strategic positions.

The agreement was dubbed an example of money politics between Golkar and Kadir, ahead of his election as Batam's mayor.

Supporters of Kadir and Asman said the mayor and his deputy would take legal action if ICW was unable to produce evidence to back up its accusations.

Edward Brando, a local legislator from the National Mandate Party (PAN) who voted for Kadir and his running mate, said ICW's finding could not, however, be used as evidence.

He also denied that there was a secret political deal with the then mayoralty candidates.

Similar denials have also come from local Golkar secretary Taba Iskandar, who chairs Batam's legislative council. He said there was no such written agreement.

"We did make a deal, but it was not specific. This is normal in politics."

Kadir told The Jakarta Post that his election as mayor had nothing to do with money politics. "It's not true. I was elected because of public support and support from the city legislature."

The Batam regency branch of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has demanded that the legislative council set up a special committee to investigate Kadir's alleged role in the collusion and corruption scandal.

Should the inquiry show that the mayor and his deputy were involved in the case, his election should be annulled, Batam's PDI Perjuangan chairman Sahat Sianturi said.

Kadir and Asman had defeated PDI Perjuangan's two candidates, Nazief Soesila Dharma and Jhonson Napitupulu, to win the mayoralty election last year.

The PDI Perjuangan had vowed to mobilize its local members to hit the city's streets if the House turned down its request for a corruption investigation into Kadir, Asman and Golkar leaders.

Local ICW member Andre told the Post on Wednesday that many Golkar supporters were promoted or appointed by Kadir to several strategic posts in Batam in return for their votes.

"We feel cheated by the mayor," Andre said.