Kiki to head audit team in probe of Army foundation

MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Newly appointed Army Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri is to lead an audit team on the Army's Kartika Eka Paksi Foundation to probe the Rp 48 billion financial irregularity uncovered by the Supreme Audit Agency during the first semester of this year.

"If Pak Kiki has effectively assumed his position next week, he will lead the team which will be assisted by the Army Inspectorate General and an independent auditor," Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said.

However he declined to name the auditor.

As announced in its report to the House of Representatives and the President in October, the Agency found that more than Rp 48 billion had been spent without clear receipts.

The Kartika Eka Paksi Foundation is traditionally headed by the incumbent Army chief of Staff. It is involved in a variety of businesses including finance, banking, insurance, real estate, mining, timber, and transportation.

"I have promised that the foundation should be used to enhance soldiers' welfare. Therefore the Army will follow up the Agency report," Endriartono said.

"If the Army team finds irregularities which include corruption I will clean it up," he asserted.

Endriartono also said he had held a hearing with the House of Representative's Commission I for political, security and foreign affairs last week to discuss the audit report.

Endriartono maintained that if there was enough evidence, the team could even question his predecessor Gen. Tyasno Sudarto.

"Let us see how the team conducts the audit. If Pak Tyasno needs to be questioned to clarify things then why not? It is soldiers' money," he asserted while stressing that there is yet any evidence to indicate that his predecessor was involved in any irregularities in the Foundation.

Endriartono also confirmed speculation that Kiki's recent promotion as Deputy Chief of Staff was not conducted with the specific knowledge of President Abdurrahman Wahid.

"The election of the Deputy Army chief of staff is outside the President's authority. He may propose a name, and we can consider whether the proposed name is the appropriate person to fill the position," Endriartono said, adding that the President only has the direct authority to appoint the Indonesian Military commander and chief of staff of each of the forces. (02)