KPK probes 11 alleged graft cases

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.