TV host denies misusing flood funds

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