Lampung governor responsible for budget scam: Prosecutor

Oyos Saroso, The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung

Lampung Governor Oemarsono cannot evade responsibility in a Rp 1.2 billion (US$131,800) case connected with a provincial school book project following the declaration of the former education office chief as a suspect, provincial prosecution authorities said on Monday.

Akhrul Latief, deputy chief of Lampung Prosecutor's Office, indicated that Oemarsono was involved in the case because as governor he had approved the direct appointment of a secondary school atlas supplier for the project.

Former head of the provincial education office Merayu Sukma Hasyim, according to Latief, was named suspect in the scam on the basis of audit results of the Financial and Development Comptroller Agency.

"Despite Merayu Sukma's knowledge of the tender process required for the atlas supply, this project was carried out through direct appointment," the prosecutor pointed out.

Pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 18/1999 on the procurement of government goods and services, the purchase of goods worth over Rp 50 million must be conducted through an open tender.

"The governor's involvement is due to his consent to the direct appointment proposed by his subordinate," added Latief.

The governor denied the corruption allegation by maintaining that the direct appointment in this project was in line with procedures.

In his argument, Oemarsono referred to Presidential Decree No. 18/2000 on the procurement of government goods and its technical directives. This decree allows the supply of goods based on direct appointment by observing the joint accord of the Minister of Finance and the Head of Bappenas (National Planning Board).

Nonetheless, the joint accord stipulates four stages for direct appointment, including the presence of an appointment committee, which invites supplier candidates, and the committee's evaluation, clarification and negotiation regarding the candidates' bidding prices.

A survey by The Jakarta Post found irregularities in the appointment of Jakarta' publisher Yudistira as supplier. There were at least six other atlas publishers in Jakarta and Surabaya deserving selection for appointment.

Meanwhile, Indra Sahnun Lubis, acting as defense attorney of Merayu Sukma, said the case involving his client was tainted by politics. "It has to do with the issue of succession of the Lampung governor in January," Lubis claimed.

Merayu Sukma, who is now head of Lampung's rural community development office, had once also been involved in another book project worth Rp 22 billion.