City withholds money for KPUD

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."