Sutiyoso stands by land swap deal

Sutiyoso stands by land swap deal

Damar Harsanto and Evi Mariani, Jakarta

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso will put up a fight for the properties
of the "new" SMP 56 state junior high school on Jl. Jeruk Purut,
East Cilandak, and SMU 87 high school in Bintaro, both in South
Jakarta, if businessman Abdul Latief demands the return of the
land.

"Whatever happens, I will defend the schools ... Academic
activity in both schools has been ongoing for almost three
years," Sutiyoso told hundreds of people who attended Friday
prayers at the mosque located in the grounds of SMP 56 Jeruk
Purut.

The governor visited the school to demonstrate the
administration's commitment to its students and teachers.

Latief had earlier threatened the administration that he would
break the land swap deal between developer PT Tata Disantara and
the Ministry of National Education, under which SMP 56 Melawai
was exchanged for two properties in Jeruk Purut and Bintaro.
Consequently, the administration would have to return the two
plots of land and buildings.

The property deal in 2000 was strongly opposed by a group of
teachers, parents and students of the Melawai school, who
suspected corruption practices in it.

The group filed a civil suit with the South Jakarta District
Court, but the court rejected it. They are now awaiting the
Jakarta High Court's decision on their appeal.

During his visit, Sutiyoso donated Rp 10 million (US$1,156) in
cash for the provision of sports facilities and musical
instruments.

Separately, the Jakarta Police's anticorruption division chief
Adj. Sr. Comr. Anton Wahono said the police had taken the
initiative to investigate any possible corruption behind the
deal.

"Besides investigating a possible violation of the education
law, we will also investigate possible corruption practices," he
said.

"For the time being, we haven't summoned anyone. Soon, we will
summon expert witnesses from the National Land Agency to explain
the value of the taxable property (NJOP) of the land in Melawai
and Jeruk Purut."

The police have so far summoned 13 witnesses in the
investigation of the violation of the education law. The
witnesses are the SMP 56 Jeruk Purut headmaster, four former
teachers of SMP 56 Melawai, ministry officials and legal officers
with the administration.

The police are yet to declare Nurlaila, the only civil servant
teacher at SMP 56 Melawai, a suspect, nor expressed their
intention of summoning her in the near future.

Nurlaila was reported to the police by the administration last
week for committing "illegal academic activity", which the
administration said was a violation of Article 67 of Law. No
20/2003 on education.