KPK seizes KPU funds as graft probe intensifies
KPK seizes KPU funds as graft probe intensifies
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized around Rp
3 billion (US$315,789) out of a total of some Rp 20 billion in
funds allegedly given by private firms to the General Elections
Commission (KPU) as kickbacks.
KPK deputy Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean also said on Wednesday
that a certain person had returned a further Rp 1 billion from
the aforementioned funds.
Speaking to House of Representatives Commission III
legislators, Tumpak said the person had returned a combined
$79,000 and Rp 342 million to the KPK, as he or she was likely
fearful of harsher sanctions if he or she did not come clean amid
the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption at KPU.
However, Tumpak refused to identify the person as they did not
want to jeopardize the ongoing investigation, but said that the
person was neither a KPU member nor a state official.
Tumpak also said that no names of House members had appeared
during any questioning of KPU officials or staffers so far. Media
rumors have it that a number of House members are believed to
have received portions of the funds as well.
After looking into the procurement of election materials, KPK
chief Taufiequrachman Ruki said his investigators planned to
expand its inquiry into the provision of insurance and books
worth Rp 37.5 billion.
The KPK is investigating a wide range of corruption in the
KPU, which broke open with the arrest of KPU member Mulyana W.
Kusumah after he was caught trying to bribe a state auditor to
influence audit results.
The bribe money apparently came from the funds given by 10
firms, who had won trillions worth of tenders to provide election
materials, as kickbacks.
Aside from Mulyana, two more KPU staffers have been declared
suspects by the KPK. They are deputy secretary general Sussongko
Suharjo and treasurer Hamdani Amin.
Both have acknowledged that the collection of these funds were
agreed upon by KPU chief Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin, who has
consistently denied any knowledge or involvement. Nazaruddin has
also been accused of giving the green light to his subordinates
to pay off the auditors.
The KPK again questioned Mulyana and Hamdani, as well as two
staffers who worked directly under Sussongko. These two staffers
are believed to have witnessed the conversation between Mulyana
and Sussongko about the bribery.
The KPU has been deeply criticized in recent months following
the arrest of Mulyana, and then the disclosure of billions of
rupiah worth of irregularities in the management of legislative
election funds.