Banten councilors left in dark as graft investigation continues
Multa Fidrus
The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
Councilors of the Banten provincial legislative council are still in the dark regarding the continuing investigation into corruption which allegedly occurred between 2004 and 2006.
"An investigation began last year, which was later taken over by the Attorney General's Office. We still haven't received any update on the progress of that investigation," council deputy speaker M. Sayuti said Saturday.
Last year, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) reported irregularities in the use of the 2004, 2005 and 2006 budgets at several administrative offices totaling Rp 153.6 billion (US$16.34 million).
BPK's audit shows misuses amounting to Rp 70 billion in 2004, Rp 80 billion in 2005 and Rp 3.6 billion in 2006.
Banten prosecutors questioned 14 officials implicated in the case, including eight high-ranking officials. The eight senior officials are Banten secretary Hilman Nitiamidjaya, Serang regency administration secretary RA Syahbandar, the province's public works agency head M. Soleh, education agency head Widodo Hadi, health agency head Djaya Budiharja, plantation and forestry agency head Yunadi Sachroni, the provincial administration's personnel bureau chief Eutik Suharta and Cilegon General Hospital director Suleman.
The six other officials questioned by prosecutors are health agency officials Udin Safrudin, Lulus Akbar, M. Natsir Aziz, Iman Santoso, Tunggul Simanjuntak and Zakaria.
Hilman and Eutik were questioned in regard to irregularities in the budget earmarked for land acquisition for the Banten Police Headquarters.
The others are being investigated for irregularities in budget spending on physical development projects by their respective agencies. Prosecutors are also investigating the provision of medical supplies for general hospitals in Cilegon and Tangerang.
"We hope the Attorney General's Office is determined to complete the investigation and name the suspects," Sayuti said.
He said leaks in budget spending happened at almost every administrative office. To minimize future leaks, the council is preparing a bylaw on budget use transparency which is expected to allow the public to monitor budget spending.
Suhada, a public services activist, said budget irregularities have become a common occurrence at administrative offices responsible for the provision of public services such as health and education.
The executive director of the Independent Alliance Caring for Public (Alipp) said an ordinance on budget transparency similar to the central government's draft on administrative law is required as taxpayers deserve to know how their money is used.
"We have yet to see any good will on the part of regional policy-makers to transparently report on the budget," he said.
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