NGO demands probe on KPU graft case

JAKARTA: The Coalition for Clean and Proper Elections (Koalisi LSM) demanded National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar on Tuesday suspend a probe into them and instead go ahead investigating a Rp 301 billion (US$33 million) graft case allegedly involving the General Elections Commission (KPU).

Previously, Koalisi LSM had reported the KPU to the Jakarta Police for an alleged mark up in the election budget by the commission during the preparations for the legislative election on April 5 last year.

After the report was issued, the KPU accused the Koalisi LSM of libeling it, while the Jakarta Police decided to investigate the non-governmental organization, not the KPU, over the case.

Hermawanto of the Koalisi LSM said police should decide whether the KPU was guilty in the case before probing into the libel case involving the Koalisi LSM.

"If the KPU is found not guilty in the graft case, then it could say that we're libeling them, but the police must investigate the KPU first in this case," Hermawanto said. -- JP