Rachman involved in graft: Report

Rachman involved in graft: Report

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Members of the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission
(KPKPN) revealed Tuesday that an inquiry team had found evidence
of alleged corruption in the wealth report of Attorney General
M.A. Rachman.

But commission chairman Jusuf Syakir said the contents of the
report still had to be discussed before they were signed and
submitted to President Megawati Soekarnoputri as Rachman's
immediate superior.

"There should be a plenary meeting to hear the conclusion of
the inquiry before drafting a final report," he told The Jakarta
Post.

One of the members, who requested anonymity, said the report
indicated investigation details would be forwarded to police or
state prosecutors to take further action against Rachman.

"It contains KPKPN findings, both the irregularities in
Rachman's wealth report, and contradictory statements given by
Rachman and witnesses, who include prosecutor Kito Irkhamni,
daughter Chairunnisa, businessman Husein Tanoto and his son Suryo
Tan, and friend Nadjib Salim Atamimi," the source told the Post.

"Besides that, the commission also gives a legal opinion to
the President that Rachman has signed a statement saying he is
ready to resign if he is found to have, among other things,
hidden his wealth," the source added.

Rachman was summoned to the KPKPN office on Monday night to
face a final series of questions in the inquiry that started
earlier this month.

Another source said he had tried to change earlier statements
that were rejected by the inquiry team, led by Rudjuan Dartono.

Rudjuan said Rachman admitted to problems surrounding a luxury
house in Graha Cinere, Depok, which he gave to his daughter
Chairunnisa last year.

The house, reportedly worth at least Rp 5 billion, was sold to
Husein early this year for Rp 950 million.

He said the house was sold far below the market price because
its condition was not appropriate with the blueprint.

Rachman also changed his statement regarding how he collected
Rp 800 million within two years. In his earlier statement he
claimed part of the money was his savings and the remaining
derived from his fees as a legal consultant to several East Java
businessmen when he was head of East Java's prosecutors office in
1999.

But on Monday he said the money was a charity contribution
from East Java businessmen to be allocated for troubled East
Javanese.

Pressures have mounted on President Megawati to dismiss
Rachman for allegedly hiding his wealth and practicing
corruption.