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.