TV host denies misusing flood funds

JAKARTA: Institute of Civic Education on Indonesian (ICE on Indonesia) chairwoman Irma Hutabarat denied on Friday that she had misused Rp 4.2 billion which was received from the city administration.

"The money is still in the banks in accounts owned by the institute, not in my personal account," Irma, who is also known as a TV host, told reporters after reporting on the use of the funds to Governor Sutiyoso at City Hall.

She said Rp 3.6 billion of the funds were deposited in Lippo Bank and HSBC while the remaining Rp 600 million had been distributed as scholarship to about 400 elementary, junior and senior high school students in the city.

The funds were raised for flood victims during an administration-organized charity event in March this year.

Sitiyoso then handed the funds to the institute to help students, especially flood victims.

The Government Watch (GOWA) earlier accused ICE on Indonesia of not yet disbursing the funds to flood victims and that some of the funds were deposited in Irma's personal account.

Irma said on Thursday that she would not sue GOWA's chairman Farid Faqih for slander.--JP