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