Graft is rife in East Timor

Graft is rife in East Timor

DILI, East Timor: A member of the House of Representatives
expressed his dismay Saturday with the rampant irregularities
plaguing shoddy development projects in the area.

"I have found that huge funds have been misappropriated by
project managers and contractors," said legislator Salvador
Januario Ximenes Soares as quoted by Antara.

According to Salvador, many projects have been transferred to
the government, resulting in quality far lower than expected.

Salvador, a member of the Jakarta-based House Commission II
overseeing domestic affairs, conducted a four-day fact-finding
mission in his region earlier this month.

He determined that a number of project managers, who also hold
government positions, failed to accomplish their projects on
time.

He pointed out that he also had evidence of collusion between
government officials and businessmen. As a result, he said,
contractors can walk away from their sub-standard projects
without fear of government reprisals. (pan)