Sutiyoso waits for a 'whisper' on scam

JAKARTA (JP): Two senior city officials could still be dismissed over their alleged involvement in the Ancol scandal if further information came from the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office, Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday.

"We are waiting for a whisper from the prosecutor's office. If they said this (that the officials were involved), I will evaluate (their positions)," Sutiyoso told reporters after Friday prayers at City Hall.

Sutiyoso denied that he had rejected recommendations by the City Inspectorate for all 11 officials allegedly involved in the Ancol affair to be punished.

Though nine officials were replaced, the two most senior -- City Development Agency head Bambang Sungkono and City Planning Agency head Ahmaddin Ahmad -- were not.

Sutiyoso argued that an evaluation of the two officials should not involve their sudden replacement.

Everything should be "conducted wisely and in a good time", he said, while asserting that he was "never afraid to dismiss officials".

Meanwhile, City Inspector Hendarin Ono Saleh refused to comment on suggestions that his sudden request for an early pension was connected to the rejection of his proposal to dismiss the two officials.

Asked whether he had given up hope, Hendarin replied: "I will repair the damages through prayer."

According to city administration data, Hendarin, an echelon I official, is aged 54.

Government regulation 32/1974 concerning civil servants' terms states that the echelon I and II pension age is 58, with a possible extension to 60.

Hendarin was the main person calling for action against the 11 officials.

The officials were among 45 people who took part in an overseas comparative study tour last October to Japan, Australia and South Africa financed by city-owned developer PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol.

They reportedly received a travel allowance of between US$5,000 and $10,000 each from PT Jaya Ancol, as well as a travel allowance of Rp 52 million (US$5,200) each from the city budget.

Three councillors reportedly also received the travel allowances even though they did not make the trip.

The special crime assistant at the prosecutor's office, Andi Syarifuddin, said councillors would continue to be questioned next week over suspected corruption.

Andi refused to mention the names of the councillors under suspicion.

All councillors who joined the trip are members of council's Commission D for Development Affairs. (jun)