Regent named main suspect in Rp 88b graft scandal
Regent named main suspect in Rp 88b graft scandal
The Jakarta Post, Berau/Nabire
The nationwide anticorruption drive continued this week as law
enforcers in Kalimantan and Papua brought charges against two
regents.
Prosecutors in Berau regency, East Kalimantan, named Regent
Masdjuni a suspect in a reforestation fund scam that allegedly
cost the state Rp 88 billion (about US$1 million). Masdjuni could
be the first regent in the province to stand trial for
corruption.
The chief prosecutor in East Kalimantan, Masri Djinin, said
his office was processing the corruption case against Masdjuni
and would intensify its investigations into other corruption
cases in East Kalimantan.
"We will not only handle the Berau regent's case, but also
several other cases allegedly involving state officials and
legislative members," he said.
According to Masdjuni's lawyer, his client is accused of
passing a ruling abolishing the imposition of taxes on companies
that have logging concessions in the regency.
Prosecutors expect to submit the case file on Masdjuni to the
Tanjung Reded District Court by the end of December and for the
suspect to go on trial in January 2005.
Masdjuni's lawyer, Robert Nababan, said the investigation was
still underway and that the defense would present seven
witnesses.
"Masdjuni's defense team has received the approval of the
Attorney General's Office to present a number of witnesses next
week," said Masri.
The seven witnesses are from farmers' groups that hold
forestry permits. Other witnesses expected to testify are experts
in forestry, state administration and law.
In Papua province, police are forging ahead with the
investigation of Nabire Regent A.P. Youw, who is suspected of
misusing Rp 2.4 billion in construction funds. This investigation
was directly authorized by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Papua Police detectives chief Sr. Comr. Mangisi Situmorang
said after questioning Youw for five hours in Nabire on Thursday
that there were indications the regent was involved in
misappropriating funds allocated for the construction of the
Merah Putih market.
Youw was accompanied by a team of lawyers led by Soedjono
during the questioning.
Situmorang said the Rp 2.5 billion project was not properly
tendered and that Youw appointed a contractor directly.
Youw has argued that a regent has the right to appoint
contractors for projects valued at less than Rp 50 billion, as
outlined in Presidential Decree No. 8/2000. He also pointed out
that the project was approved by the regency council.
The regent said the contractor, Leo Djapari, had previous
experience on two large projects in Nabire: the Panca Niaga and
Mega Baru buildings.
Youw said Leo initially submitted a proposal to him, which was
later referred to the Nabire Development Planning Agency. The
proposal was then forwarded to the regency council and approved.
Leo also has been named a suspect in the case.
The Merah Putih market is intended to be a wholesale center
for foodstuffs.