KPK should take over graft probes in West Java: NGO

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post/Bandung

The powerful Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) should take over graft probes into West Java councillors and government officials, a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) said on Monday.

The NGOs slammed provincial prosecutors for their tardiness in investigating corruption cases in the province and for halting proceedings in some cases without good reason.

Effendi Saman, the leader of the People's Resistance Against Corruption group, said it would take its demands to KPK officials in Jakarta on Thursday.

One of the graft investigations frozen was a probe into former West Java governor Nuriana, Effendi said.

Nuriana is accused of embezzling Rp 224 billion (US$25 million) of public money during his term in office between 1999 and 2002.

State Audit Agency (BPK) investigations uncovered evidence that the governor had taken money from three foundations chaired by Nuriana worth Rp 47 billion, and stole another Rp 3.1 billion when buying ceremonial tents for the province.

The finding were initially followed up by West Java prosecutors, but the investigation was later stopped.

Effendi said the prosecutors were also slow in probing alleged graft committed by about 100 former West Java councillors, who served the province between 1999 and this year.

The accusations, which involved irregularities in the purchase of sections of land, initially came to light last year, he said.

However, prosecutors had only started sending case files on the councillors to the courts during the past two months, he said.

Out of 100 former West Java councillors believed to be involved in the Rp 33.4 billion scam, only one has already been taken to court -- former deputy chairman Kurdi Moekri.

Effendi demanded the KPK re-investigate the cases, so the public would see justice was being done.