Inspectorate office recovers Rp 5b of ill-gotten gains

JAKARTA (JP): The City Inspectorate investigated between April and December last year 69 corruption cases valued at Rp 42 billion (US$3.8 million), involving agencies under the city administration's supervision, but only managed to recover Rp 5 billion, an official said on Wednesday.

City Inspector Hendarin Ono Saleh said the remaining Rp 37 billion could not be recouped.

Hendarin said, in a letter obtained by the press on Wednesday, that the Rp 5 billion had been returned to the city cash office.

The letter, dated March 28, 2001, said the corruption cases had allegedly occurred in the city development agency, public works agency, population agency, development control agency, civilian defense (Hansip) agency, administrative training center and program supervision agency.

Without giving specific details, Hendarin revealed that 17 city officials had received "heavy" sanctions, five officials received "moderate" sanctions, while one other was punished lightly.

In the letter, Hendarin did not mention specific cases which occurred last year.

However, sources at the City Council believe that the cases included the controversial overseas trip conducted by several city officials and 16 councillors in October last year.

Governor Sutiyoso has punished nine officials who joined the comparative study trip to Japan, South Africa and Australia.

The trip participants reportedly received travel allowances of between US$5,000 and US$10,000 from the city-owned developer PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol, as well as Rp 52 million each from the City Budget.

The Jakarta Prosecutor's Office is still focusing its investigation on three councillors who allegedly received the travel allowances, despite canceling their participation in the one-week trip. (jun)