Gafur admits giving money, but denies giving bribes

Gafur admits giving money, but denies giving bribes

MANADO, North Sulawesi (JP): Newly elected North Maluku
Governor Abdul Gafur admitted on Sunday he gave money to several
members of the provincial legislative council, but denied the
money was a bribe.

"I gave a little money to several members of the provincial
council... but I never bribed them (to vote for me)," Gafur said
at a media conference during a stopover at the Sam Ratulangi
Airport in Manado, North Sulawesi, before leaving for Jakarta.

Gafur did not specify how much money he gave to the council
members.

The sports and youth affairs minister under former president
Soeharto was elected governor by the provincial legislature on
July 5, with his term to end in 2006.

Waves of protests against Gafur's election hit the provincial
capital Ternate shortly after the election result was announced.

Gafur was responding to statements made by a member of the
provincial council, Muhammad Sufino, who said he received Rp 66
million from Gafur and Deputy Governor Yamin Tawari before the
election.

According to Gafur, a former deputy speaker of the House of
Representatives, rumors of bribery were being spread to try and
force him out of office.

"It shows that the people of North Maluku are not ready for
democracy," he said, adding that the election was held in
accordance with all rules and was very democratic.

The chairman of the Golkar faction on the provincial council,
Muchtar Balakum, defended Gafur, saying the money was meant to
"facilitate and to give spirit to the council members in carrying
out their daily duties".

"I think it is natural for someone like Abdul Gafur to give
money to fellow Golkar members because he is also one of the
party's executives," Muchtar said.

A plenary meeting of the legislative council was held to
discuss the allegations of money politics in the election. The
meeting concluded that there was no proof that Gafur was involved
in the practice, Muchtar claimed.

Accompanying Gafur at the media conference was the chairman of
North Maluku's Love the Nation Democratic Party, Rev. Soselissa,
who said he would push the minister of home affairs to
immediately install Gafur as governor.

Gafur said his first priority as governor would be to return
refugees from the North Maluku islands to their hometowns,
promising that his administration would guarantee the security of
the refugees and help them rebuild their homes. (48/emf)