Councillors plan to return bribe to avoid prosecution

Councillors plan to return bribe to avoid prosecution

Yuliansyah, The Jakarta Post, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan

Fearing the legal consequences, some South Kalimantan legislative
councillors say they are planning to return a "reward" given to
them by the local government for approving the 2003 provincial
budget.

The provincial administration allocated Rp 1.3 billion for the
councillors to smooth the budget deliberations. Each member of
the 54-strong council received Rp 10 million, but those joining
the budget committee earned more.

The issue only surfaced after a number of aggrieved
councillors complained about the unfair splitting of the money,
and the fact it was less than they usually paid themselves.

One councillor, who agreed to be interviewed on condition of
anonymity, said he would return the money due to fear that he
would be accused of accepting bribes, which was classified as a
crime.

"I'd better return the money, otherwise I will be jailed for
life," the councillor said on Friday.

He said many of his colleagues had claimed they would follow
suit.

The South Sulawesi prosecutors office was planning to
investigate the case, but the councillor said all the council
members would have returned the money before the investigation
started.

Legal practitioners and non-governmental organizations have
criticized the councillors, branding them advocates of
institutionalized corruption.

Meanwhile the South Kalimantan chapter of the Indonesian
Lawyers Association demanded prosecutors investigate, even if the
money was returned.

Association chairman Sabri Noor Herman said receiving the
money could be categorized as corruption as it inflicted losses
to the state.

"Councillors could be charged with violating anti-corruption
laws," Sabri said.

"Media reports should serve as a evidence of the corruption
and collusion practices."

Corruption carries a maximum life sentence according to the
1999 anti-corruption law.

Meanwhile, council internal affairs coordinator Syamsuri said
he was not affected by the prosecutors' plan to investigate the
case.

He said the budget for the rewards had been approved by the
council and the local government.

"Therefore if the case is investigated, it must target not
only councillors or members of the council's internal affairs,
but government officials who joined the budget committee," he
said.