KPK looks at alleged KPU graft

JAKARTA: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is waiting for the official response from the General Elections Commission (KPU) over alleged corruption involving it that cost the state some Rp 375 billion (US$41.6 million).

"We have asked the Supreme Audit Agency to prepare an audit of the KPU. The audit will start soon after we have obtained KPU's response," KPK chairman Taufikurrahman Ruki said on Monday.

A coalition of five non-governmental organizations demanded that the anticorruption body investigate alleged markups in the KPK budget for the procurement of election materials for the April 5 legislative election.

KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti rejected the accusation, saying what had occurred was inefficiency rather than corruption. -- JP