House to summon KPU over graft case
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The House of Representatives is scheduled to summon the members of General Elections Commission (KPU) next Monday to hear the latter's clarification over an investigative audit indicating massive corruption in the commission.
The KPU is under the spotlight after a Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) audit revealed suspected irregularities totaling more than Rp 90 billion (US$9.47 million) in state funds the KPU spent on procuring materials for the legislative election in April last year.
The decision for the hearing by Commission II for home affairs, however, drew conflicting opinions, including from fellow House members on the commission as well as Commission III for legal affairs, who said that such a hearing would only slow down the legal process.
A number of civil organizations and legislators have, on the other hand, accused unspecific House members of taking part in the alleged corruption at the KPU, whose legislative partner is Commission II.
One Commission II legislator said during an internal meeting on Tuesday that some legislators who had also served during the previous term had insisted on conducting an internal inquiry, while "newer" legislators -- elected in September last year -- wanted the BPK report to be quickly shared with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), whose investigation into the corruption case has been deemed laggard.
"We'll summon the KPU on May 9, and we'll be quick with this inquiry, even briefer than the two-week time frame given by the House leaders. The hearing will be open to the public," Commission II chairman Ferry Mursyidan Baldan said.
KPU chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin said the KPU would be ready to submit a clarification report in the next two days.
Ferry said the commission would ask the KPU to clarify particular points in the BPK report that focus on the provision of ballot boxes, ballot papers, ink, ballot envelopes and information and technology infrastructure.
"The hearing is essential to learn the KPU's side because the BPK report doesn't contain a proportional response from the KPU. We will draft our recommendations after the hearing," Ferry said, but failed to elaborate.
He added that the House would later submit the BPK report, the KPU clarification and the commission's recommendations to the KPK.
Ferry also denied there was any plan to replace KPU members, saying that any proposal to do so would come first from the government.
"If there was a plan to replace any member, it would be to replace Hamid Awaluddin, who was elected (justice) minister last year. But we haven't received any proposal for that," he explained.
Meanwhile, the KPK questioned again on Tuesday Nazaruddin and KPU secretariat staffer Mubari.
However, the questioning still mostly revolved around a bribery case involving member Mulyana W. Kusumah, who was reportedly caught trying to bribe a BPK auditor, and deputy secretary-general Sussongko Suhardjo, who has been accused of instructing that a bribe be offered and providing the money for it.
Nazaruddin said the KPK investigators also touched upon his role in the provision of election material tenders.
"Of course, I know everything about the tenders because I'm the chairman and attended all KPU plenary meetings where tender committees reported their activities," he was quoted as saying by Antara.