Formal probe into Ancol scam to begin
Formal probe into Ancol scam to begin
JAKARTA (JP): The City Prosecutors' Office will proceed with a
formal investigation into the alleged misuse of PT Pembangunan
Jaya Ancol (PJA) for recent official trips abroad after
questioning 18 city officials connected with the case.
The office's head, Basri Arief, said on Monday city
prosecutors handling the case concluded that "all the officials
questioned have a potential to be named suspects in connection
with the scam".
"I have their names on my desk, and I will announce the
preliminary investigation's result soon," Basri said.
The officials, Basri said, include nine officials who were
handed administrative sanctions by Governor Sutiyoso and two top
officials who were found not guilty in the scam.
When asked about the possibility of charging the two top
officials, Basri said it all would be based on the evidence found
during the previous investigation.
Sutiyoso announced last week administrative sanctions be
imposed on nine city officials, mostly low-ranking staffers, for
administrative irregularities.
Based on the City Inspectorate findings, the officials were
questioned over alleged misuse of funds and participation in an
overseas trip without the governor's consent.
Basri said six city councillors taking part in the overseas
trips would also be questioned, pending approval from the
minister of home affairs and regional autonomy.
The Law No.4/1999 on composition and status of the legislative
bodies stipulates that the minister's approval is required to
summon councillors in connection with legal cases.
Basri dismissed speculation that the formal investigation
would target only low ranking officials and allow their superiors
to escape.
"I guarantee we will not base our investigation merely on the
findings of an internal probe performed by the city
administration," said Basri.
Meanwhile, the city administration announced on Monday it had
decided to delay announcing the fate of PT PJA director, Rushadi,
over the scam, citing incomplete audit by public accountants.
The trips drew controversy due to allegations that PJA paid Rp
2.1 billion to fund the so-called comparative studies for a group
of 45 people comprising councillors and city officials between
Oct. 9 and Oct. 15. The trips were to three different
destinations -- Cape Town and Johannesburg, Sydney, and Tokyo.
Governor Sutiyoso has confirmed that the fund was disbursed
without his approval as the chief commissioner of the company.
A city prosecutor involved in the team investigating the case
has revealed that the probe would focus on allegations that some
40 city officials and councillors had received a double allowance
for the trip from the city budget and PT PJA, the developer of
the Ancol recreation park. (07)