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.