Legislators face probe over 'sale' of aid

Legislators face probe over 'sale' of aid

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The House of Representatives disciplinary committee plans to summon two lawmakers in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged "sale" of government relief funds by legislators.

"The two lawmakers to be summoned may not necessarily be involved (in the alleged corruption); we're just seeking information," committee chairman Slamet Effendy Yusuf said during a discussion on the issue on Saturday.

He declined to disclose the names of the two legislators.

The case first surfaced when a legislator publicly revealed late last month a document containing names of lawmakers allegedly involved in the sale of relief funds.

House members were said to have promised budget amounts to elected regional heads in return for a percentage of that amount. Middlemen were alleged to be involved in the process to fix the deals.

Lawmakers, particularly those in the state budgetary commission, help decide the size of relief funds a local administration needs and the commission is involved in the closed-door deliberation of the state budget proposals by the government.

Observers say the practice of selling funds has been around for a long time but is difficult to prove due to a lack of hard evidence.

Many have called for a thorough investigation into the cases, which have further tarnished the image of the House. They also demanded that legal action be taken against lawmakers found to be involved in any embezzlement.

The high profile Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is reportedly about to launch an investigation into the case.