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.