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