Scholarship scandal being probed
Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung
Wati, 45, a widow with two children, was elated when her son Sholeh reported to her that he would be the recipient of a scholarship.
As a poor laundry worker, Wati was happy that Sholeh, a senior high school student, would receive Rp 35,000 (US$3.50) a month from the Lampung Education Office.
"The money will help ease my burden," said Wati, who earns about Rp 200,000 a month doing her neighbors' laundry.
Her relief, however, was short-lived. As the months went by, no more was said about the scholarship and Sholeh graduated from senior high school this year without receiving a cent. It was later revealed that 4,300 "scholarship" students from 400 schools in Lampung received no financial assistance.
The scholarship funds intended for students from elementary to senior high school were allegedly embezzled by education officials in the province.
The two officials -- Deni Fitriana, the project leader and Tria Arizona, the treasurer -- have been held in Way Hui Penitentiary, South Lampung since they were questioned by prosecutors from Lampung Prosecutor's Office over the case. The two had been named suspects in the case for allegedly embezzling state funds amounting to Rp 2.47 billion (US$247,000).
The funds should have been channeled last year to the 4,300 students, said Maryono, the chief of prosecutors investigating the case. Maryono said that the money had been diverted to the personal bank accounts of Deni Fitriana and Tria Arizona.
However, the case is but one of several graft cases being probed by Lampung prosecutors. The prosecutors are currently investigating a project aimed at improving the quality of Lampung senior high school education worth Rp 16.8 billion, a project aimed at upgrading Lampung's junior high school buildings worth Rp 19.5 billion and other projects.
The corruption in the Lampung Education Office is not new. In 2002, the Bandarlampung District Court sentenced Merayu Sukma, the chief of Lampung Education Office, to two years' imprisonment for corruption. Sukma was sent to prison for embezzling funds intended for the purchase of equipment for Lampung schools worth Rp 1.1 billion. Two years later, Sutoto, who replaced Merayu, was also sentenced for corruption worth over Rp 13 billion. He was accused of having embezzled funds for the purchase of text books for students.