More evidence revealed in Yogyakarta scandals

More evidence revealed in Yogyakarta scandals

Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Further information has surfaced relating to the alleged
involvement of local legislators in two corruption scandals,
including the election of Yogyakarta's deputy governor and the
construction of the Jogya Expo Center (JEC).

Justice Party (PK) Yogyakarta branch chairman Agus Purnomo
said his party's sole legislator, Boedi Dewantoro, told him that
he was offered a Rp 35 million bribe from the candidate who was
defeated contesting the election.

Agus would not name the person who offered the bribe but there
were only two candidates taking part in the election -- Paku Alam
IX and his step brother Angling Kusumo.

The provincial legislative council elected Paku Alam deputy
governor last year.

However, Agus said Boedi had returned the money to a senior
member of the defeated candidate's campaign team.

"The psychological situation at that time forced him to take
it and he did so, but he returned it two days later," Agus said.

"He never had an intention to deliberately receive the money,"
he said.

Along with other legislators, Boedi has also been accused of
involvement in another corruption scandal -- the building project
of the Jogya Expo Center (JEC) by construction company PT Adhi
Karya.

The legislators are charged with taking Rp 150 million in
bribes.

Agus said Boedi had reported the two bribe cases to the PK's
provincial council as part of his weekly report, and therefore
the party considered him to have no involvement in both scandals.

"However, if the court finds him (Boedi) guilty in both cases
with no doubt, the Justice Party is ready to take stern action by
dropping his membership as a party cadre," Agus said.

Local legislators have also been accused of taking Rp 1
billion in bribes from the campaign team of the elected vice
governor, Paku Alam.

The Justice Party's revelation has therefore provided further
indications that legislators from other parties might have also
received bribes from the defeated camp of Angling.

Teguh Purnomo, coordinator of a team investigating the two
scandals, welcomed the JP's disclosure, saying it was further
proof of unlawful practices within the legislature.

"Therefore, there is no reason at all to stop the
investigation process," he said.

The investigation could be treated as an entry point to
uncover various cases allegedly involving corrupt legislators in
the province, he added.

Local prosecutors have pledged that they would summon all 53
members of the legislature in connection with the two bribery
scandals.

However, the investigation is waiting for approval from
Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno.

Also, Syukri Fadholi of the United Development Party (PPP)
said at the weekend that his party's investigation team had found
evidence that a contractor responsible for the JEC project had
transferred Rp 150 million to bank accounts belonging to two
legislators.

Adhi Karya has denied it bribed legislators to help it win the
tender.