Government to probe alleged corruption in KPU: Surjadi
Government to probe alleged corruption in KPU: Surjadi
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja said
the government would look into the alleged embezzlement of some
Rp 117 billion by the General Elections Commission (KPU) during
last year's general election.
"The government will certainly follow up in an objective
manner the Supreme Audit Agency's report on results of its recent
audit on the election commission," Surjadi said.
"We are studying the report. If an embezzlement is found, all
persons involved in the case will be punished," he said on
Monday.
Leaked copies of the audit indicate a questionable and
unexplained spending of Rp 117 billion, partly from funds
provided by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Surjadi said the election commission, as an independent
institution, should be made accountable and explain the
discrepancies in the audit agency's report.
"The KPU, as an agency, has a chairman and secretary-general.
They must be made accountable for the alleged corruption," he
said.
Asked about the alleged involvement of Amur Muchasim, the
election commission's former secretary-general, Surjadi said Amur
should be one of the primary persons questioned about the
election commission's expenditures.
"It could be that the election commission chairman (Rudini)
knew nothing about the alleged embezzlement, but the secretary-
general should know about it," he said.
Amur is now secretary-general to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Adnan Buyung Nasution, the KPU deputy chairman, supported a
full investigation into the allegations.
"We must thank the audit agency for its success in foiling
corruption. Both the government and law enforcement institutions
should look into it immediately," he said.
He acknowledged that he had suspected some impropriety and
even called for an audit some time ago, however, it was rejected
by the commission chairman.
"It was strange to see several representatives of political
parties in the election commission filing a lawsuit against me
for trying to reveal the alleged corruption. But they must
realize now that what I did was right," he said.
He said the case had tarnished the election commission's image
both at home and overseas since a part of the elections' budget
was received from foreign countries under the coordination of
UNDP.
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said the House would also follow
up the audit agency's findings and would entrust the National
Police and Attorney General's Office to investigate the report.
"I have yet to know the amount of allegedly embezzled funds in
detail but the audit agency's report will be discussed in the
next House leadership meeting," he said.
Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said he was waiting for a
response from the House to audit the agency's report.
"I have heard about it but so far we have not received any
response from the President, the election commission and the
House," he said.
He said his office would check the reports as part of its
proactive response to the report to the institutions. (rms/emf)
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja said
the government would look into the alleged embezzlement of some
Rp 117 billion by the General Elections Commission (KPU) during
last year's general election.
"The government will certainly follow up in an objective
manner the Supreme Audit Agency's report on results of its recent
audit on the election commission," Surjadi said.
"We are studying the report. If an embezzlement is found, all
persons involved in the case will be punished," he said on
Monday.
Leaked copies of the audit indicate a questionable and
unexplained spending of Rp 117 billion, partly from funds
provided by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Surjadi said the election commission, as an independent
institution, should be made accountable and explain the
discrepancies in the audit agency's report.
"The KPU, as an agency, has a chairman and secretary-general.
They must be made accountable for the alleged corruption," he
said.
Asked about the alleged involvement of Amur Muchasim, the
election commission's former secretary-general, Surjadi said Amur
should be one of the primary persons questioned about the
election commission's expenditures.
"It could be that the election commission chairman (Rudini)
knew nothing about the alleged embezzlement, but the secretary-
general should know about it," he said.
Amur is now secretary-general to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Adnan Buyung Nasution, the KPU deputy chairman, supported a
full investigation into the allegations.
"We must thank the audit agency for its success in foiling
corruption. Both the government and law enforcement institutions
should look into it immediately," he said.
He acknowledged that he had suspected some impropriety and
even called for an audit some time ago, however, it was rejected
by the commission chairman.
"It was strange to see several representatives of political
parties in the election commission filing a lawsuit against me
for trying to reveal the alleged corruption. But they must
realize now that what I did was right," he said.
He said the case had tarnished the election commission's image
both at home and overseas since a part of the elections' budget
was received from foreign countries under the coordination of
UNDP.
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said the House would also follow
up the audit agency's findings and would entrust the National
Police and Attorney General's Office to investigate the report.
"I have yet to know the amount of allegedly embezzled funds in
detail but the audit agency's report will be discussed in the
next House leadership meeting," he said.
Attorney General Marzuki Darusman said he was waiting for a
response from the House to audit the agency's report.
"I have heard about it but so far we have not received any
response from the President, the election commission and the
House," he said.
He said his office would check the reports as part of its
proactive response to the report to the institutions. (rms/emf)