Directors, commissioners have yet to report wealth

JAKARTA (JP): The Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) expressed concern on Tuesday over the reluctance of most directors and commissioners of state-run companies to report their individual net worth to the commission.

The head of the commission's state enterprises' division, Maj. Gen. (ret) Hartoyo, said that even though he had received many wealth declarations from state companies, most of them were submitted by employees below the director level.

"About 30 percent of the 7,000 declarations we have thus far received came from state companies. But only a handful of them come from the director and commissioner level," he told a media conference at the commission's office.

In the first phase of its program, the commission distributed at least 50,000 forms to state officials in February in a bid to audit to their personal wealth. The officials are obliged to report their wealth before, during and after assuming office.

The commission later urged State Minister for State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi, who came to the commission's office on Tuesday to submit his personal declaration, to remind his subordinates of the importance of returning the completed declarations as soon as possible.

"On this occasion, we'd also like to ask the state minister to take measures to push the directors and commissioners of state- run banks to submit their declarations for the sake of transparency," commission chairman Yusuf Syakir said.

Laksamana, who also controls the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), said that within the next two weeks he would publish an internal regulation requiring his subordinates to abide by the deadline for the submission of their asset declarations.

"Submitting the declarations will be a prerequisite for their promotion, particularly in the case of first echelon officers," he said.

"My office is reportedly full of abuses and corruption. I think this measure can be used as a preliminary control by us because as state officials our tasks also involve the state's assets and wealth," he remarked.

Laksamana submitted his wealth declaration on a form specially issued to legislators and which he received months ago.

Even though it was already overdue as the deadline for legislators was set for July, Laksamana admitted that he felt relieved.

"Now I can work with no burden hanging over me. President Megawati Soekarnoputri reminded the Cabinet at its first meeting on Monday to submit the wealth declarations using the new forms which have been distributed. She wants no corruption, collusion or nepotism in the cabinet," he said.

The commission also disclosed on Tuesday the assets of the wealthiest to the poorest officeholders and legislators based upon the declarations it has received.

So far, the wealthiest is People's Consultative Assembly member and businessman Rudolf Mazvoka Pardede, who owns total assets worth Rp 298.74 billion (US$28.87 million).

Pardede's wealth is above the Rp 245.41 billion plus US$2.29 million in deposits owned by House of Representatives' member Arifin Panigoro.

The poorest name recorded was Stevanus Tasane, a clerk at Sumedang District Court, West Java, who only has Rp 179,555 to his name.

The assets of Jakarta's governor and two military men who are assigned to the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs were among those of the 147 officials whose wealth was announced on Tuesday.

Governor Sutiyoso declared assets amounting to Rp 10 billion and US$215,126 held in a savings account.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono admitted having total assets worth Rp 3.49 billion, while transportation minister Agum Gumelar announced assets valued at Rp 8.85 billion plus US$366,846 in saving accounts. (bby)

Ten Wealthiest State Officials

Rudolf Mazvoka Pardede, Assembly legislator, Rp 298.74b; Arifin Panigoro, House legislator, Rp 245.41b US$2.29m; Hussein Naro, Assembly/House legislator, Rp 97.43b US$468,000; Rekso Ageng Herman, House legislator, Rp 94.48b; Achmad Arnold Baramuli, Assembly legislator, Rp 92.99b US$ 10,853; Andi Sose, Advisor of interest group faction at Assembly, Rp 82.87b US$1m; Siswono Yudo Husodo, Assembly legislator, Rp 74.77b US$81,700; Taufiq Kiemas, House legislator, Rp 59.80b; Megawati Soekarnoputri, President, Rp 59.80b; Fuad Bawazier, Assembly legislator, Rp 50.07b US$8,422.

Ten Poorest State Officials

Stevanus Tasane, Sumedang District Court clerk, Rp 179,555; Budi Nuryanto, Yogyakarta Palace Development project treasurer, Rp 805,252; Sumanto, Health Ministry staffer, Rp 1.10m; Ade Irmawati, Environmental Impact Management Agency staffer, Rp 1.25m; Mohammad Pranowo, Transportation Ministry staffer, Rp 1.46m; Aswandi, West Sumatra's office of National Land Agency staffer, Rp 1.90m; Masrofah, South Kalimantan's office of National Land Agency staffer, Rp 1.93m; Rian Har Edy Santoso, National Land Agency staffer, Rp 2.86m; Fridolin Hasiholan Loebis, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Rp 3.25m; Pemi Sutiatirtharani, Environmental Impact Management Agency staffer, Rp 3.31m