City withholds money for KPUD
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
The Jakarta administration revealed on Friday that it would withhold Rp 3.2 billion in operational funds for the Jakarta Elections Commission (KPUD) this year amid alleged irregularities in the use of Rp 168 billion in election funds.
"The City Finance Bureau has yet to disburse the funds to the KPUD. We plan to delay disbursement owing to the (corruption) case being investigated by the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office," City Secretary Ritola Tasmaya announced after Friday prayers at City Hall.
Prosecutors have named the poll commission's chairman Muhammad Taufik a suspect in the case.
Ritola played down the affect the disbursement delay would have on the operations of the KPUD, arguing that the commission had little work to do this year. "Jakarta's direct regional election is in 2007. The commission still has two years to prepare for it."
Commenting on the alleged corruption case, he said Governor Sutiyoso had sent letters on Wednesday to the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office, the General Elections Commission (KPU) and City Council to explain the administration's position on the case.
"In the letter to chief prosecutor Rusdi Taher, we asked the office to coordinate with relevant institutions in its investigation, including the Jakarta Finance Comptroller, which is delving into the case at the request of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)," he said.
Ritola said that Sutiyoso had also officially informed the KPU about the alleged KPUD corruption case.
"Since the authority lies with the KPU, we will await a decision from the KPU (on whether or not it will replace KPUD officials)," he asserted.
Prosecutor's office spokesman Haryono said the office would start quizzing witnesses on Monday, including KPUD secretary Abdulah Ahmad and finance division staffer Neneng.
"We will ask them to explain the use of funds by the commission, including the commission's failure to pay up to Rp 4.2 billion in tax," he said.
Besides alleged tax evasion, the KPUD has been accused of questionable tenders and marking up the price of 180,000 vests worth Rp 12 billion (or Rp 71,000 per piece), far higher than the market price of Rp 25,000.
Separately, some councillors strongly opposed the plan to delay the disbursement of KPUD's operational funds this year.
"I don't think its right to delay the disbursement of operational funds. The delay means more work left undone," said the chairman of Commission A for legal affairs, Achmad Suaidy.
Councillor Vike Very Ponto asserted that the delay would deal a severe blow to many KPUD staff members, who may have nothing to do with the corruption case.
"I would agree to any policy to cut spending for the purchase of goods, but please not the operational funds."