Graft probe into poll body continues

Graft probe into poll body continues

JAKARTA: The Jakarta Prosecutor's Office has collected more
evidence on alleged corruption by members of the Jakarta
Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta).

On Tuesday, head of the investigating team Syaiful Tahir
retrieved all procurement contracts for election materials used
in last year's election that were made by KPU Jakarta as well as
a financial report from the State Audit Agency.

Prosecutors have been investigating the misuse of Rp 13
billion (US$1.37 million) of city funds earmarked for the 2004
elections. Syaiful found on May 31 that poll body chairman
Muhammad Taufik and several other KPU members had taken over the
procurement tenders that were supposed to have been handled by
the head of the logistics tender unit.

The prosecutors have named Taufik, commission member A. Riza
Patria and treasurer Neneng Euis Palupi as suspects. They have
all been detained pending the investigation, while prosecutors
have also sealed houses belonging to Taufik and Neneng to
restrict access to possible evidence in the case. -- JP