Councillors reported

Councillors reported
for alleged corruption

TANGERANG: The Tangerang Non-Governmental Organization Forum
(NGO Forum) reported seven members of Tangerang municipality
council to the Tangerang Prosecutor's Office for alleged misuse
of the council budget.

NGO member Imron Khamami accused councillors Gian Sugiharsono,
Jhoni Suherlan, Burhanuddin, Krisna Gunata, Tb. Busro, Daryanto
and the council secretariat's finance head Dian Ferdian of
responsibility for marking up last year's council budget from
September to December.

"The total markup was Rp 1.36 billion (US$ 161,326) within
that period," he said on Tuesday.

The allegation was made after the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK)
examined the Tangerang municipal administration financial reports
in December and discovered irregularities.

Activist Muslih Muhamad Amin said the administration had
allocated a total of Rp 1.47 billion for the council operational
budget and spending. However, a financial reports by the
administration on Dec. 31, 2003, revealed that it had disbursed
Rp 2.83 billion, or almost double the approved allocation. -- JP