NGO demands probe on KPU graft case

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