KPK probes 11 alleged graft cases
Muninggar Sri Saraswati , Jakarta
Defying its human resources shortcomings, the powerful Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has examined a total of 11 alleged corruption cases since its establishment six months ago.
KPK deputy chairman Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean told a press conference on Friday that the commission had just started its probe into six new alleged corruption cases.
The six cases are the haj arrangements applied by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the renovation of a patrol boat by the customs and excise office, alleged budget irregularities in East Flores regency, alleged markups in the purchase of ships by transportation agency ASDP, alleged markups in the purchase of relay machines by RRI (Republic of Indonesia Radio), and an alleged markup in the purchase of a Russian-made assault helicopter by the Aceh administration in 2002.
"We are currently examining the cases," said Tumpak. He did not go into details, saying that revealing the details of the cases would risk disrupting the preliminary investigations.
Previously, the KPK said that it was investigating alleged price markups in land purchases for a seaport in Maluku, Jakarta's busway project, a World Bank-funded book procurement project at the Ministry of National Education, alleged insider trading involving the sale of a company in North Sulawesi by the now-defunct Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (BPPN) and preshipment and deposit placements involving the Texmaco Group.
In its progress report made public on Friday, the commission said it expected to investigate up to 30 high-profile corruption cases by the end of the year. The full report, including details of the KPK's spending, can be accessed on www.kpk.go.id.
The commission earlier caused a surprise by declaring Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Governor Abdullah Puteh a suspect in the purchase of a helicopter by the Aceh administration in 2002, which cost the state some Rp 4 billion (US$ 427,000).
KPK chairman Taufiqurrahman Ruki said the commission's investigation of high-profile cases was not a bluff.
The 11 cases have been investigated despite the personnel and financial problems the commission is facing. As of Friday, the commission's only permanent employees are its five leaders -- Tumpak, Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Amien Sunaryadi, Sjahruddin Rasul and Taufiqurrahman Ruki.
A total of 87 temporary employees -- hired from the Provincial Audit Agency (BPKP), the Ministry of Finance, the police, the Attorney General's Office, the state secretary and volunteers -- support the KPK leadership in the performance of their duties.
They include nine police investigators, six prosecutors and four auditors, all of whom have attended a special training course on the eradication of corruption.
The commission is currently conducting a special recruitment process to find 16 people to serve as directors and secretaries- general.
"We hope to get the best possible candidates to fulfill these positions. They must be professional, clean and honest," said Amien Sunaryadi, a deputy chief of the KPK who is responsible for the commission's internal development.
Granted wide-ranging powers, the KPK only deals with corruption cases that cost the state a minimum of Rp 1 billion and that involve state officials. It is obliged to monitor and prevent corruption across the country.
The commission also faces financial difficulties as the government has yet to disburse its total allocated budget, due to "technical matters".
From its total allocated budget of Rp 74 billion, the government has so far only disbursed Rp 2.5 billion, or just 3.39 percent.