Pressure mounts on fraud probe

Pressure mounts on fraud probe

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The Makassar Legislative Watch urged
that the provincial legislative council on Monday have the
embezzlement of loans for farmers (KUT) legally settled.

Farid Ma'ruf Ibrahim, secretary of the legislative watch, said
the embezzlement, allegedly committed by local cooperatives and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), needed to be resolved
soon.

"The unresolved case affects four million farmers. Don't let
them be exploited by cooperatives and NGOs," he said.

The South Sulawesi Provincial Prosecutor's Office earlier
promised to investigate the alleged swindle of Rp 450 billion in
loans provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for
farmers' assistance.

Some NGOs, including Lembaga Mitra Lingkungan in Barru and
Wajo districts, Insan Cita in Gowa and Peduli Lingkungan, have
been accused of presenting fictitious reports on the money
designated for local farmers.

Reports on the swindle apparently persuaded Minister of
Agriculture, M. Prakosa, plan to exclude NGOs from participating
in the disbursement of credits for farmers.

According to the legislative watch, the settlement of the
swindle case must be given priority for the sake of the farmers.
(27/sur)