Team to submit recommendation on Banpres

Team to submit recommendation on Banpres

JAKARTA: A legislative team assigned to examine the flow of Presidential Aid (Banpres) funds will soon convene to make final recommendations to the House of Representatives.

Team leader R.K. Sembiring Meliala confirmed on Wednesday the team had concluded that State Secretary Bambang Kesowo had not committed any violations in dispensing the aid.

"The fund is now under the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance," Sembiring of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction added.

The team held a series of meetings and questioned several former state secretaries, including Muladi, Ali Rachman and Bambang Kesowo, in its investigation.

The team was set up after President Megawati Soekarnoputri donated Rp 30 billion for the renovation of military and police barracks. The money came from the Banpres.

Legislators had accused the President of misusing the Banpres, but withdrew their allegations after hearing from the state secretaries. -- JP