Student activist denies misusing funds

JAKARTA: Former University Of Indonesia students executive body president Rico Marbun is denying accusations he misused a Rp 75 million (US$8,824) fund from the Ministry of Education.

"The accusation was made to break up the present students' movement against corrupt politicians," he told reporters at the UI campus in Salemba on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Consultative Assembly of the UI Students Fraternity (MPM-IKM) reported Rico to the police, accusing him of allegedly misusing the state's fund for youth lifeskill programs disbursed last year to bankroll his campaign to become the legislative candidate of a political party.

Rico emphatically denied the accusations, saying his actions followed proper procedures and were approved by the ministry. He is threatening the students with legal action.

Presenting copies of the program's accountability report signed by project supervisor Nursigit Purwanto to corroborate his claim, Rico said he wanted those who made the report against him to retract their accusations and to clear his name.

"If they decline to do so then I will charge them with libel. I already have taken on lawyers," he said. -- JP