KPU denies corrupt practices

JAKARTA: A member of the General Elections Commission (KPU) in charge of logistics denied on Tuesday that there were anomalies in the procurement of vehicles for commission members.

KPU member, Chusnul Mar'iyah, said that any procurement of goods for the KPU had always been conducted in a transparent manner.

"How could we conceal it if we ask the supplier to present their product in an open forum?" Chusnul said.

Chusnul was responding to some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which questioned the purchase of 468 Kijang vans and 407 motorbikes for KPU members in regencies and provinces. The vehicles, which cost Rp 73.9 billion (US$8.6 million), were procured without a tender.

NGOs activists said the procurement was not transparent. But Chusnul challenged the activists to present evidence of any corruption by KPU members. -- JP