Its ‘handbags’ as graft commission investigate Mahendra
Former Minister of Justice, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the same guy who introduced the VOA fee, reduced the Tourist Visa from 60 to 30 days and tried to abolish the Department of Tourism, is having it out with another member of the Indonesian government. Mahendra is being called as a witness to a graft case, by Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief Taufiequrrachman Ruki. He didn’t like that very much so decided to retaliate. Here’s more from the Jakarta Post.
Yusril takes revenge against chief of anti-graft body
JAKARTA (Antara): State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra Friday took revenge against Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief Taufiequrrachman Ruki by demanding investigation against him for a similar case, causing Yusril questioned Thursday.
Yusril was questioned by KPK interrogators Thursday for alleged mark-up at the procurements of the Automatic Identification Fingerprints System (AFIS) by the Justice and Human Rights Ministry when Yusril still led it.
The result of Thursday’s questioning showed that Yusril permitted AFIS project leader Aji Afendi to procure the equipments without passing through tender.
Such practices violated Presidential Decree No. 80/2003 on the guidance for procuring goods and services for government projects.
“I will report KPK chief. Today I will act as a witness, who reports the case,” Yusril was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.
According to Yusril, if KPK investigation is led to him as justice and human right minister in AFIS case, KPK leader has also to be questioned on the procurements of equipments used in the anti-graft body.
Yusril said that he has evidence for the direct appointments of tapping and telecommunication equipments used in KPK office.
KPK has arrested two suspects — project leader Aji and his business partner, President Director of PT Sentra Filindo Eman Rahman, who was accused of bribing Rp 370 million to Aji after his company was appointed to handle the project.
The alleged mark-up caused some Rp 18.48 billion of state loss.