Puteh corruption case goes to KPK

Puteh corruption case goes to KPK

Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta

The Aceh Police chief says he will hand over a case of alleged
corruption involving Governor Abdullah Puteh to the Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK) as soon as the police have uncovered
sufficient evidence against him.

"The KPK is very interested in this case, and fully supports
the efforts to process the case legally. As soon as we obtain
prima facie proof of his involvement in corruption, we will ask
the KPK to question him," Insp. Gen. Bachrumsyah Kasman said.

Three high profile cases -- the purchase of a Russian
helicopter, used printing machine and the procurement of cars for
the members of the local legislature -- are being handled by the
Banda Aceh prosecutor's office, Bachrumsyah said after attending
a meeting on political and security affairs here on Thursday.

Present at the meeting were, among others, acting coordinating
minister for political and security affairs Hari Sabarno, TNI
chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, Governor Puteh, Aceh martial law
administrator Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya, head of the Aceh
Prosecutor's Office Andi Mahmud, and the speaker of the Aceh
legislature, Tgk. Mohammad Yus.

A report obtained by The Jakarta Post showed that the purchase
price of a Russian-made Mi-2 PLC Rostove Mill helicopter had been
marked up to Rp 12.6 billion from the original price of Rp 6.1
billion in 2002.

The report also revealed that in 2003 the governor handed over
loans of Rp 75 million to each of the 53 provincial councillors
to buy cars but the lawmakers never repaid the money.

Also in 2002, the Aceh Administration purchased used printing
machines at a cost of Rp 4.2 billion. The machines, however, were
not functioning.

Bachrumsyah said the police and prosecutors had decided to
hand over the cases to the KPK as the commission had the
authority to summon the governor without seeking the permission
of the president.

Under the relevant legislation, the newly established KPK has
the authority to summon officials accused of corruption without
necessarily securing permission from the president, and to press
charges against them in court.

Puteh held a closed-door meeting with the members of the House
of Representatives (DPR) Commission I on security affairs here on
Thursday, one day after he sought protection from lawmakers.

Briefing the press after the meeting, Puteh dismissed the
corruption allegations as slander.

"I reiterate that the allegations are not true, I have never
been involved in corruption. These accusations are slanderous,
and I am ready to be questioned," he said.

Bachrumsyah also said that police in Aceh were still
investigating 42 corruption cases involving the local
administration, including alleged misappropriation of Rp 30
billion (US$3.4 million) earmarked for electricity generators.

"The Aceh martial law administration has investigated possible
corruption involving officials in the administration. We (the
police) have followed up on the reports and questioned six
officials, including the head of the finance department, and his
partner, Wiliam.

"William has been named a suspect, while the others have been
released," Bachrumsyah said.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri placed Aceh under a state of
martial law in May 2003 in a bid to quell a secessionist movement
spearheaded by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), which has been
fighting for independence for the resource-rich province since
1976. Over 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed
since then.