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.