KPU member arrested for bribery

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A former top criminologist at the University of Indonesia, Mulyana W. Kusumah, has been arrested for allegedly trying to bribe a civil servant with Rp 150 million (about US$16,129).

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has been investigating the General Elections Commission (KPU), of which Mulyana is a member, over the alleged misuse of last year's general election funds totaling Rp 301 billion. The civil servant was assigned to audit the use of the funds.

Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, the deputy chairman of the KPK, said that Mulyana was arrested at about 9 p.m. on Friday at an undisclosed place in Jakarta.

"We have been observing him for about one month," Erry told The Jakarta Post.

Meanwhile, a source who declined to be named said Mulyana was sent to the Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta at about 4 p.m. on Saturday following a meeting between KPK executives, the police and prosecutors, which was conducted two hours after his arrest.

Mulyana, according to Erry, attempted to bribe the civil servant in cash. The civil servant is in charge of auditing the KPU's accounts.

The identity of the civil servant has not been disclosed.

"He was caught red-handed and was therefore sent to prison right away," he said.

The KPK will charge Mulyana with bribery under Law No. 31/1999 on corruption eradication.

According to Article 5 of the law, those who attempt to bribe civil servants or state officials are liable to punishment of one year to five years in jail as well as a fine of Rp 50 million to Rp 250 million.

Mulyana's arrest may tarnish the reputation of other KPU members, who have also been accused by a number of non- governmental organizations of embezzlement.

The KPU members are Nazaruddin Syamsuddin, Ramlan Surbakti, Chusnul Mar'iyah, Valina Singka Subekti, Anas Urbaningrum, Daan Dimara and Rusadi Kantaprawira as well as Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin, a former member of the KPU.