Whistle blower returns TI award

Whistle blower returns TI award

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former state auditor Khairiansyah Salman returned on Thursday the
Integrity Award he received from the Berlin-based Transparency
International (TI) after allegations surfaced that he was
involved in misappropriation of haj funds.

"He does not want to tarnish the award. Therefore, he decided
to return it," said Khairiansyah's lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, who
is also the TI Indonesia executive director.

Khairiansyah won the award after blowing open the bribery case
involving the General Elections Commission (KPU). That case, as
it turned out, was just the tip of the iceberg as the Corruption
Eradication Commission discovered several more graft cases at the
KPU.

Todung had said that the TI Indonesia was aware of
Khairiansyah's involvement in the haj fund scandal when it
nominated him for the award.

State prosecutors named Khairiansyah a suspect on Tuesday for
allegedly receiving a payment of Rp 15 million (US$1,500) in 2003
by the treasurer of the Directorate General of Haj Affairs to
influence the audit report of the institution.

Todung said that he and several other TI directors had met
Khairiansyah to discuss the matter.

"TI Indonesia still believes that Khairiansyah has a role in
eradicating corruption. That was why we nominated him. But he
said he wanted to concentrate on this case," Todung said.

The Integrity Award was first given in 2000 to individuals
with persistence, courage and innovative achievement in combating
corruption.

Khairiansyah, who now works for the Aceh and Nias
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR), flew to Berlin on
Nov. 11 to receive the award.

Todung said that Khairiansyah would send a personal letter to
TI in Berlin to explain the case.

"TI Indonesia, however, has never urged him to return the
award. It's fully his act of responsibility to push for the
corruption eradication movement in this country," he said.

Meanwhile, the BRR is considering the dismissal of
Khairiansyah as the anticorruption education manager.

"We're still thinking about whether we should replace him or
not. His position is vital for this organization," said BRR
deputy of communication affairs Sudirman Said.