Results of Taperum probe to be revealed
Results of Taperum probe to be revealed
JAKARTA (JP): The government will unveil on Wednesday the
results of the internal investigation into alleged irregularities
in the Civil Servants Housing Savings (Taperum) that reportedly
involved House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung.
Minister of Settlement and Territorial Development Erna
Witoelar said on Tuesday the investigation results of the alleged
misuse of funds worth Rp 179.9 billion would be disclosed after a
Cabinet ministers meeting.
Erna said her office had been tasked with the probe after the
President entrusted it with the authority to control the saving
scheme, replacing the now defunct state minister of public
housing office.
"I know the public has questions about the case, so we will
try to finish the investigation today and after the Cabinet
ministers meeting on Wednesday things will be clearer," she
remarked.
The case, brought to the fore by House member Effendi Choiri
of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, allegedly involved
Akbar when he served as the state minister of public housing
between 1993 and 1998.
PKB quoted the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) as reporting the
alleged misuse of the fund, which, according to a 1993
presidential decree, fell under the control of the state minister
of public housing.
Erna said her office received the report of the possible
misuse of the fund a few days ago.
"So far I cannot say whether there is any swindle in the
scheme because we have to investigate every detail. If there is a
misuse of the fund than we will go for legal measures," she said.
Earlier in the day, Akbar told a media conference held to
clarify his alleged role in the graft, that the BPK report
circulated by Effendi was fabricated and inaccurate.
"I have no idea where they got those numbers. In my eyes the
data are merely the elaboration of questions from the BPK to the
minister of settlement and regional development, which remain
unanswered," Akbar said.
"This is clearly an effort at character assassination against
me made by Effendi Choiri."
Separately, Effendi insisted that the allegation of graft
existed because it came from the BPK. (dja)