KPU chief further implicated in alleged graft case

KPU chief further implicated in alleged graft case

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

General Elections Commission (KPU) chief Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin
was once again dealt a body blow on Monday that should make it
harder for him to prove his innocence as another senior KPU
official corroborated his role in alleged massive graft at the
commission.

Former commission secretary-general Safder Yusaac told reporters on
Monday after hours of questioning by the Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) that Nazaruddin had given a verbal instruction
to raise Rp 20 billion (US$2.10 million) in "tactical funds."

These funds, largely collected in kickbacks from companies
that supplied electoral materials, were intended to be shared out
with KPU members and secretariat officials, legislators and
officials of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

"Yes, the collection of tactical funds was verbally ordered by
Pak Nazaruddin to be used to improve the welfare of KPU members,"
Safder said, adding that the instruction to collect the kickbacks
could not be delegated to anyone else.

He also admitted to personally giving money to the BPK when it
started auditing the KPU's use of a Rp 3.9 trillion for the
holding of last year's general elections.

However, Safder did not clarify whether the payment had been
suggested by the KPU or the BPK.

Safder's admissions follow previous ones by KPU deputy
secretary-general Sussongko Suhardjo and treasurer Hamdani Amin,
who said Nazaruddin had ordered them to collect funds from
supplier firms, and to pay the BPK.

Both Sussongko and Hamdani have been declared suspects by the
KPK, along with KPU member Mulyana W. Kusumah, who was caught
red-handed proffering a bribe during a meeting.

Mulyana has also said that part of the money used to bribe the
BPK was approved by Nazaruddin.

Nazaruddin has denied any knowledge or involvement in such
activities, although he said late last week that he might have
heard about a bribery plan but chose to ignore it.

Hamdani said a total of Rp 520 million was paid in four
installments to the BPK. The first two payments were made by
Safder, while the last two were made by KPU deputy treasurer M. Dentjik.

On Monday, former legislator Hamdan Zoelva, now with the Star
Reform Party (PBR), visited the KPK office to meet with KPK chief
Taufiequrrahman Ruki, who was absent at the time.

Hamdan refused to make any comment, despite suspicion that he
had come to return part of the "tactical funds". Hamdani
previously said that a total of Rp 100 million had been shared
with legislators.

Meanwhile, KPU member Anas Urbaningrum confirmed on Monday
that all KPU members had received honorariums in addition to
their salaries, but claimed the payments were above board.

"It was official. I can't say if they were legitimate or not,
as this concerns a matter of legal definition. But all of the
receipts and copies are official," he said.

Anas said these honorariums, which were paid by the KPU
treasurer, had also been reported to the BPK and were based on a
KPU regulation.

It now appears that the KPU chairman and deputy chairmen
received Rp 14.5 million, while members received Rp 12.5 million
each -- as well as a transportation allowance equivalent to 200
liters of gas per month.

"The KPU deputy was involved in all the working groups, and
the chairman and members were involved based on their job
descriptions," Anas explained.