Susilo, Hasyim vow to fight corruption

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.