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.