Susilo, Hasyim vow to fight corruption

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In an apparent move to prove their will to fight corruption, presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and vice presidential candidate Hasyim Muzadi visited the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Tuesday.

Susilo, who arrived at the office at about 10 a.m., said he was there to verify his wealth report, which he had submitted before the first round of the election.

"The law does not require officials to publicize their wealth, but it is important to prevent possible corruption. My first priority -- if I am elected -- would be to combat corruption, and that is why I came here," Susilo said after verifying his wealth report.

Corruption eradication has been a policy supported by most parties and candidates in this year's elections.

Susilo said, if he were elected president, he would expect officials to report their wealth once a year. Currently, an official is required to report their wealth only on taking up and leaving a post.

Quoting the results of the commission's wealth report verification, Susilo said his wealth in 2004 reached some Rp 4.5 billion (US$500,000).

On becoming a member of the Cabinet in 1999, he reported to the now-defunct Civil Servants Wealth Report Audit Commission (KPKPN) that his wealth amounted to Rp 3.4 billion.

"I can account for the increase. It came from legitimate sources," said Susilo, dismissing rumors that he or the Democratic Party, of which he is the leader, received some US$50 million from the United States for his campaign.

KPK deputy chairman Sjahruddin Rasul said presidential candidates could verify their wealth at the commission or at home attended by KPK staff.

Susilo and running mate Jusuf Kalla will face the incumbent, President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her running mate Hasyim Muzadi in the runoff.

All candidates are required to report their wealth to the commission.

It is not clear when Megawati and Kalla will verify their wealth reports.

Sjahruddin said Susilo's wealth report was free of irregularities.

In the afternoon, Hasyim arrived at the commission's office, which is located just behind the presidential palace.

"I came here because I was invited by the commission. I also want to express support for the commission, so that they can carry out their duties effectively and comprehensively," he said after a closed-door meeting.

Hasyim said he would remain committed to the anticorruption drive in the country. He said the commission needed support from all levels of society to wipe out corruption.

During the meeting, Hasyim declared the commission had verified his total wealth stood at Rp 7.6 billion. Earlier reports said he was worth some Rp 7.2 billion.

"It (the extra money) was from the sale of my house in Bintaro. I spent it on another house in Malang. According to the commission, the price is higher than I previously thought. Don't think that being a candidate generates a lot of income," he said.

KPK deputy chairman Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas said there was no problem with Hasyim's wealth report, other than the status of land that he had donated to religious boarding schools, but which was still registered under his name.

Erry said the commission was yet to finish the verification of the wealth reports of Megawati and Kalla.

In her wealth report to the KPKPN in 2001, Megawati reported that her wealth totaled some Rp 59.8 billion, while Kalla, in his report to the KPK this year, declared wealth of some Rp 122.5 billion.

The commission is expected to finalize the results of the candidates' wealth reports this week.