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