Mayor candidate reports councillors for bribery
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
Fachrul Munir, 53, reported 20 members of Tangerang City Council to Tangerang Police alleging that they had accepted bribes during the recent mayoral election.
Munir, who failed to qualify in the election, said in Friday's report that he "had given" Rp 2.5 billion (US$294,117.65) to the councillors who promised to vote him in as Tangerang Mayor for the 2003-2008 term.
"The 20 councillors first told me that they needed funds to support their political parties in the general election," Munir told the media at his house in Lippo Karawaci housing estate on Saturday.
The businessman said that he had held a meeting with the 20 councillors at a restaurant near the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on March 15. Before receiving the Rp 2.5 billion, each councillor signed a statement to pledge their support for Munir.
Munir said that 12 of the 20 councillors were from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction, three from the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction, two from the United Development Party (PPP) faction, two from coalition faction and one from Golkar.
"The 20 councillors must be taken to court," he said.
Tangerang councillors finally elected incumbent secretary to the municipal administration Wahidin Halim as mayor and Deddy Sjafei, executive chairman of PAN branch in Tangerang, as deputy mayor.
Wahidin, the brother of foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda, won 34 out of 42 votes, defeating other pairs of candidates of Rusman Umar-Madsani Machmud and Fakhrudin-Sadjiran Tarmizie.
The new mayor and his deputy will be sworn in on Nov. 16.
Tangerang Police intelligence deputy chief Insp. Maryono, who received the complaints, said that police had suggested Munir settle the problem with councillors amicably prior to summoning the councillors.
"Munir has agreed with the suggestion and the council will discuss the issue in a session on Monday," Maryono said.
Councillor Gian Sugiharsono could not be reached for comment on the report.
"Pak Gian left the house on Thursday and I don't know his whereabouts," said Yani, Gian's sister-in-law, when The Jakarta Post visited his house on Jl. Nyi Mas Melati on Saturday.
Similarly, Fauzi H.I. of Golkar faction could not be reached for comment either.
"Bapak (Father) is quite busy and can't be disturbed," said Novi, Fauzi's daughter who answered his cellular phone.