Tangerang councillors deny bribery allegation

Tangerang councillors deny bribery allegation

Several members of Tangerang City Council refuted on Monday the
bribery allegation filed by Fachrul Munir, who failed to qualify
in the recent mayoral election.

Bambang Irawan of the National Mandate Party (PAN) claimed he
did not receive any money from Munir to buy his way to be
Tangerang Mayor for the 2003-2008 term.

"I think such accusation is made up to worsen the ongoing
friction within the Tangerang chapter of PAN. I have challenged
him (Munir) to prove the bribery at court," he berated.

Supendi Hasyim of the United Development Party (PPP) refused
to make any further comment on the accusation, also asking Munir
to settle it at court.

However, Munir said that several of the 20 councillors had
contacted him and "had promised to return the money by Nov. 16 in
conjunction with the inauguration of the new mayor and deputy
mayor."

Munir, who is a businessman, reported the councillors to the
police on Friday, alleging that they had accepted the Rp 2.5
billion (US$294,117) he gave during a meeting at a restaurant on
March 15. Before receiving Rp 100 million each, Munir said, the
councillors signed a statement to pledge their support to him.

The Council finally elected incumbent secretary to the
municipal administration Wahidin Halim as mayor and Deddy Sjafei,
executive chairman of Tangerang chapter of PAN, as deputy mayor
last Thursday.

Hasanuddin BJ, chairman of the Council's PDIP faction, which
12 members are among the 20, said he would summon them for
confirmation. -- JP