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.