KPU chairman faces new blow in corruption probe

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.