KPK: Puteh knew of chopper markup

KPK: Puteh knew of chopper markup

Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Friday that
Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh knew that some procedures had been
violated in the purchase of a Russian-made Mi-2 helicopter in
2002.

KPK made the statement after it summoned Puteh as "one of the
sources" in its preliminary investigation into the alleged markup
by the Aceh administration.

KPK deputy chairman Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, however,
refused to go into detail, arguing that "the questioning of the
governor has not touched on substantial matters because he
(Puteh) did not bring supporting documents."

Puteh was questioned by KPK's investigating team led by former
police officer Jaswardana for about four hours, starting at 8
a.m. He left the office at midday and immediately went to the
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and flew to Aceh's
provincial capital of Banda Aceh for "an important meeting on
preparations for the imposition of civil emergency in the
province".

Erry said that Puteh promised to come to the KPK office on
June 10, or three days after a national working meeting of
Indonesian governors in Banda Aceh.

"During the four hours of questioning, we asked him about 13
questions with regards the governor's main tasks. However he did
not bring documents to support his assertions," Erry told a press
conference.

"We could understand his argument because he came to Jakarta
not for the questioning, but to meet with officials of the
Ministry of Home Affairs to prepare the planned national working
meeting of all Indonesian governors," he added.

Earlier, KPK investigators also questioned speaker of the Aceh
legislature Muhammad Yus and his deputies, T. Bachrum Manyak and
Moersyid Minosra, as well as the Aceh administration's supply
and procurement division head Syahruddin M. Gadeng and treasurer
T.M. Lizam.

From the officials, Erry said, the KPK learned that at least
10 regents donated around Rp 700 million (US$72,916) to help the
administration purchase the helicopter.

Erry refused to name the regents, but confirmed that the funds
were taken from regental budgets.

Meanwhile, two other officials, Aceh administration secretary
Thantawi Ishak and the Aceh administration's logistics division
head Khalid, will come to Jakarta for questioning on June 10.
They did not meet a summons early this week, claiming they were
ill.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has appointed Puteh as the
civil emergency administrator in Aceh, after one year of martial
law to stamp out decades of rebellion there.

Puteh, nevertheless, is in the hot seat following an
investigation by the Aceh Police in cooperation with the military
into the corruption charges that involve billions of rupiah in
government funds.

The alleged markup in the purchase of the helicopter caused
some Rp 12 billion in state losses. Some are trying to link the
case to Puteh.

Earlier on Wednesday, Puteh was also questioned at the
National Police headquarters here over another corruption case
related to the purchase of power generators worth Rp 30 billion.