KPU rejects ink bidders, asks for re-tender

KPU rejects ink bidders, asks for re-tender

Moch. N. Kurniawan and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Nazaruddin
Sjamsuddin has annulled the result of the ink tender and ordered
a re-tender due to the high price quoted by bidders.

"My request to re-tender is merely because of the ink price
offered by the bidders is exceeding KPU's ceiling," Nazaruddin
told reporters.

The re-tender will involve old and new bidders and is expected
to close in two days, Nazaruddin said.

"We have experience to re-tender the procurement of
Information Technology (IT) infrastructure. So there will be no
problem," he said.

He denied speculation that his order was sparked by the fact
that most of the final eight bidders had dubious financial
records as stated by documents from a tax office.

According to the documents, a number of companies had recorded
no sales in 2002, some had low sales with low income tax, and the
rest had high sales with low income tax, which were partly
confirmed by documents submitted by the firms to KPU.

In the letter, Nazaruddin also asked the tender committee to
seek approval in a KPU plenary session before announcing the
specifications of the new ink tender.

He also requested the committee to appoint a consultant to
estimate the quantity of ink required for one election to avoid
extra expense for renting a warehouse.

KPU member Rusadi Kantaprawira refused to comment on
Nazaruddin's order.

The tender committee has selected eight of 30 firms: PT
Fulcomas Jaya, PT Lina Permai Sakti, Multi Mega, PT Mustika Indra
Mas, PT Senorotan Perkasa, PT Tricipta Adimandiri, PT Wahgo
International, and PT Yana Prima Hasta Persada.

They quoted the ink price at between Rp 25,700 (US$3) and Rp
42,500 per 30 milliliter bottle, while KPU has set a maximum
price of Rp 36,500 per bottle.

Regarding the ballot boxes supply, Nazaruddin said KPU had
considered a proposal from the Minister of Home Affairs Hari
Sabarno to import ballot boxes from China.

"This import plan is aimed at anticipating the possible
failure of local firms to meet the contract," he said.

On Wednesday, KPU senior officials had discussed with Hari
about the possibility of importing 260,000 ballot boxes.

However, KPU deputy secretary general Sussongko Suhardjo said
the import plan could reach 700,000 boxes out of 2.6 million
needed.

"But it remains a plan. If China is not ready, we will drop
the import plan," he told reporters.

Separately, the government announced it opened the door for
foreign observers to enter war-torn province of Aceh during the
election period to ensure the transparency and accountability of
the polls there.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said after a cabinet meeting on Thursday
the observers will be facilitated to enter the province.

"To ensure the transparency and accountability of the election
across the country, we decided that Aceh is open for foreign
observers during the election," Susilo said.

However, foreign observers would be banned from several places
due to security concerns.

"We will designate the areas where these observes will be
allowed to enter, not all parts of the province," the senior
minister said.

Susilo said the provincial election commission (KPUD) would
determine the safe areas for the foreign observers, with the
recommendation from the martial law administrator.

"We will have to arrange their stay, so that we can ensure
their safety," he said.