Councillor rejects bribe, faces expulsion

Councillor rejects bribe, faces expulsion

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Ang Marentek, a Golkar Faction budget committee member in the North Sulawesi Provincial Legislature, has refused to accept what he termed a mysterious payment of Rp 30 million, arguing that the money was of unclear provenance.

"I have flatly refused to accept the money offered during faction and budget meetings because the source of the money is not clear. It is high time for us to tell the truth. I am an old man and I have to set a good example to the public," Marentek said here on Tuesday.

Marentek revealed that the first Rp 30 million out of a sum of Rp 100 million promised to each legislator was paid out last week, and a number of councillors were currently pressing the budget committee to disburse another Rp 55 million prior to a trip they plan to make to a number of European countries. He added the rest was to be disbursed soon afterward.

"Each House member is to receive Rp 100 million before they tour Europe plus another Rp 40 million to cover the cost of each member's overseas travel," he disclosed.

Marentek, known for his commitment to fighting bribery, is now under the threat of being recalled and expelled from the budget committee. --JP