Susilo questioned over Geneva villa controversy
Susilo questioned over Geneva villa controversy
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Wellington
Controversy over the US$8 million villa bought by the government
in Geneva, Switzerland, for the Indonesian permanent
representative to the United Nations marked President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono's visit to New Zealand on Thursday.
The President expressed his concern about the fuss, when an
Indonesian citizen living in New Zealand requested Susilo's
clarification of circulating reports that the government had
bought the house using humanitarian aid for tsunami victims in
Aceh.
The Indonesian national, Riyadi Soebagyo, said he was
disappointed with the government's decision to "live in luxury at
an expense of people's suffering."
"I have read this report in the media and I'm disappointed.
Could you please clarify this Mr. President?" Riyadi asked Susilo
during a dialog between the visiting President and the Indonesian
community here.
Susilo said he would take stern action if he had found that
the money to buy the house came from the humanitarian aid for
Aceh. He, however, said there needed to be clear evidence of
wrongdoing before he would act.
"If there is sufficient evidence, I will deal with the person
responsible. But if there is no proof, we should question the
reports," Susilo said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda
insisted the villa was not bought using the tsunami aid because
it had been purchased in October last year before the December
tsunami.
"The villa was not purchased using the financial aid and we
completed the deal in October," Hassan said.
Minister of Finance Jusuf Anwar said his office had never
disbursed any humanitarian aid extended by donor countries and
agencies to buy a house.
Susilo said he would soon issue a new regulation governing the
procedures to procure goods and services for the state. The
regulation would prevent officials from marking up prices or
attempting fictitious procurements.
"I will soon instruct all government audit agencies and
supervisory bodies to embark on an audit of all asset
procurements for the state since there are indications of abuse,"
Susilo said.
The audit would be conducted in all ministerial offices,
government institutions and state enterprises, he said.