Inspectorate office recovers Rp 5b of ill-gotten gains

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)