KPU chairman faces new blow in corruption probe
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
More witnesses and suspects have blamed General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin for corruption at the national election organizer, making it more difficult for him to shrug off allegations over his role in the high-profile case.
KPU deputy secretary-general Sussongko Suhardjo has said that Nazaruddin promised him "help" in return for testifying during the investigation in his favor.
Sussongko affirmed that Nazaruddin had promised to provide legal help and to lobby certain institutions to get the charges reduced if Sussongko and KPU treasurer Hamdani Amin agreed to blame former KPU secretary-general Safder Yusaac for the corruption.
"If that's the case, Nazaruddin is totally irresponsible," Yusaac said after undergoing yet another round questioning by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Both Sussongko and Hamdani have been declared suspects by the KPK for their alleged involvement in graft within the KPU involving the collection of a total of Rp 20 billion (US$2.10 million) in kickbacks from the KPU's election materials suppliers.
The offers were made by Nazaruddin when Sussongko and Hamdani were summoned for the first time by the KPK following the arrest of KPU member Mulyana W. Kusumah, who was allegedly caught red- handed trying to bribe a state auditor.
Yusaac accused Nazaruddin of being the one responsible for all the corruption allegations against the KPU as it was Nazaruddin who had instructed and ordered the collection of the kickbacks.
Nazaruddin has been the named on many occasions by colleagues as the person primarily responsible for the collection and the distribution of the so-called tactical funds.
The slush funds, collected at first to improve the welfare of KPU members, were said to have also been shared later on with officials from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and members of the House of Representatives.
Sussongko's lawyer, Erick S. Paat, said BPK officials Harijanto and Djapiten Nainggolan, both members of the teams assigned to audit the KPU, had received Rp 100 million and Rp 350 million respectively.
Nazaruddin himself has consistently denied knowing about the slush funds, let alone instructing their collection and distribution.
KPK chief Taufiequrrahman Ruki said Nazaruddin would have to clarify the existence and use of the funds, while have been consistently referred to by the KPU as "tactical funds".
"So far, there is little that points directly to Nazaruddin. But he is the chairman of the KPU and should explain about these funds," he said, adding that the KPK was likely to name more suspects this week.
Nazaruddin is scheduled to be questioned by the KPK on Thursday.
Ruki said the KPK had also set up three teams to investigate separate corruption cases in the KPU connected with the bribery allegations, the tactical funds, and the procurement of seven electoral items.
"These teams will work simultaneously and confirm each other's work. In fact, we're getting new facts from the cross- examinations conducted by these three teams," he said.
On Tuesday, the KPK questioned KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti as well as two other KPU members, Valina Singka Subekti and Rusadi Kantaprawira.
Both Valina and Rusadi were in charge of the procurement of principal electoral materials, which process is believed by the BPK to contain irregularities amounting to over Rp 90 billion.
The KPK also questioned KPU treasurer Hamdani, deputy treasurer M. Dentjik, and PT Royal Sana director Guntur Sastrawijaya on Tuesday. Guntur's firm won a tender from the KPU.