KPKPN to report legislators to police over corruption

KPKPN to report legislators to police over corruption

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) plans to
report two lawmakers to the police for their alleged involvement
in corruption, in its bid to step up moves against the crime.

Abdullah Hehamahua, deputy chairman of KPKPN in charge of
legislators' wealth audit, said on Friday the report would be
filed by the end of this month, while it continued investigations
into the remaining five legislators whose wealth reports raised
the commission's eyebrows.

"I don't want to disclose their (legislators) names, but we
will submit the report of our examination into their wealth by
the end of this month. We believe these two legislators to have
committed public lies," Hehamahua told The Jakarta Post at his
office.

The other five lawmakers would have to clarify their dubious
wealth reports in February, Hehamahua said.

KPKPN has signed a memorandum of understanding with the
Attorney General's Office and the National Police regarding the
eradication of corruption.

A total of 31 state officials, including lawmakers and some
bigwigs, have been summoned by KPKPN to clarify their wealth
reports.

House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung of the Golkar
Party, legislator Roy B.B. Janis of the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), People's Consultative
Assembly Deputy Speaker Ginandjar Kartasasmita, and Assembly
member Fuad Bawazier are reportedly among those legislators who
have to clarify their wealth reports.

Akbar and Fuad declared assets valued at Rp 33.4 billion and
Rp 45 billion respectively, while Ginandjar reported his wealth
at Rp 25.6 billion with an additional US$340,000. Their assets
have sparked controversy following claims that most of them were
gifts received from a third party.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her husband Taufik Kiemas
declared combined assets worth Rp 59 billion that they
accumulated from family businesses. Nevertheless, they have yet
to verify their assets with KPKPN, despite the commission's
repeated requests.

Abdullah said that both Megawati and Taufik had also failed to
report their art and antique collections, the estimated value of
which exceeds Rp 1 billion.

Petrus Selestinus, the KPKPN member in charge of its judiciary
branch, said that sometime next week, Chief Justice Bagir Manan
was scheduled to clarify his wealth report. Bagir's reported
wealth was valued at Rp 678 million (US$79,764).

"Pak Bagir will also be expected to verify our suspicions
regarding several justices and judges who apparently have
reported well below the value of their actual assets," Petrus
said.

Meanwhile, Alfian Husin, the KPKPN member in charge of its
executive branch, said that his team would summon State Minister
of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi, South Kalimantan Governor
Sjachriel Darham, Toraja regent Johanis Amping Situru, and Jember
regent Samsul Hadi Siswoyo to clarify their reports.

"I think we have to summon Pak Laksamana in response to public
queries about whether the recent sale of state telecommunications
company PT Indosat has made him wealthier," Alfian said.

Laksamana reported his wealth at Rp 26 billion in August,
2001.