KPKPN still undecided on collusion and nepotism
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The country's campaign for a clean and accountable government remains on hold after the State Official Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) admitted on Wednesday that it was still searching for a legal basis to fight collusion and nepotism.
Yusuf Syakir, the chief of KPKPN -- an institution expected to eradicate the culture of corruption that has long tainted the bureaucracy and other state institutions -- said on Wednesday that the commission had encountered a number of problems related to the meaning of collusion and nepotism as "the country's legal system does not have clear definitions on the two issues".
He also told the media that the commission he chaired was not authorized to publicize its findings.
"KPKPN has to submit the results of its investigation to the President, the House of Representatives and the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK)," said Yusuf, referring to Article 17 and Article 18 of Law No. 28/1999 on clean governance.
His statement came after the commission held a nine-hour plenary meeting called to discuss a number of issues including a clear definition of corruption, collusion and nepotism and a mechanism for publishing the names of state officials and legislators who refuse to declare their wealth.
As reported earlier, many state officials, including President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her husband Taufik Kiemas, have yet to submit verification of their wealth. Such a verification is required to help KPKPN determine whether or not their wealth has been obtained through corruption, collusion and nepotism.
Yusuf also said that the government had warned KPKPN to keep within its limited budget.
The commission received Rp 32 billion in 2001, while the budget for 2002 has yet to be decided.
Separately, Abdullah Hehamahua, deputy chairman of KPKPN in charge of legislators' wealth said that they planned to ask for some revision of Law No. 28/1999 as it does not grant KPKPN the power to impose stern sanctions on legislators refusing to report their wealth.