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)