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)