Governor warns project chiefs over power abuse

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja warned newly appointed city administration project chiefs over the weekend not to misuse their leadership position to make money illegally.

"Never use your position to steer the regulations in order to enrich yourself," Surjadi said.

Surjadi made the statement after officially appointing 457 project leaders, 434 treasurers, 105 heads of auction committees and their secretaries in a ceremony at the City Council offices.

In his welcoming speech, Surjadi implicitly referred to the recent scandal at Bapindo, a state-owned development bank, which involves top government officials.

"Don't put your dignity at a stake, only for money," Surjadi said. "Once you are proved to have accepted bribes or to have stolen state money, you cannot fully rehabilitate your stained reputation even though you return all the money.

"I struggled for 32 years before I eventually reach my present position. Certainly I will not misuse my five-year term by selling my dignity for a sum of money which will erase the 32 years of struggle," Surjadi said.

"We should remind each other to stand strong, not look out for the fall of others," Surjadi added.

Surjadi said project chiefs must not tolerate any violation of regulations for monetary gain and warned that he would not hesitate to take action against those proven to have resorted to malpractice.

Previously, city councilors echoed concerns over allegations that project chiefs accepted bribes, or even required contractors to give them money, amounting to as much as 20 percent of project funds.

Alex Asmasoebrate, the chairman of the Jakarta chapter of PDI, once told reporters he had evidence of such practices, supplied by a person who had taken part in the city's projects.

"I have the receipts with me now if you want to see," Alex had said. (06)