BPK Ready to Audit Suharto's Wealth
Thursday, 18 May, 2006 | 14:56 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) is ready to help the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) audit Suharto's assets in order to try and trace suspected corruption involving Indonesia's second president.

“If we are asked, we would be happy to help them,” said BPK Head Anwar Nasution, in Jakarta yesterday (17/5).

According to Anwar, so far the BPK has no audit evidence that can prove Suharto committed corruption because audits carried out by the Development Finance Controller (BPKP) only focused on the twelve foundations managed by Suharto.

In addition to the foundations, however, there are many other areas where BPK could seek proof of Suharto's suspected corruption such as in the forestry sector, PT Pertamina and state-owned banks.

“We can audit those,” said Anwar.

Moreover, there is a possibility that Suharto could also be brought to trial for abuse of authority.

BPK member Baharuddin Aritonang cited Presidential Decision No. 42/1996 regarding the manufacturing of the national car, which supported a project of one of Suharto's sons, Hutomo “Tommy” Mandala Putra.

The national car project resulted in losses for the state; “Some taxes weren't paid to the state,” said Baharuddin.

Taufiequrahman Ruki, KPK Head, yesterday refused to comment on Anwar's opinion, saying “I have no comment.”

Previously, he had said that the KPK could take over the corruption case from the Attorney General's Office if there were no objections from the government, judicial institutions, or parliament (Koran Tempo, 16/5).

Several institutions that monitor corruption welcomed the idea.

“It's a good step, and I think it’s worth supporting,” said Todung Mulya Lubis, Head of Indonesian International Transparency's Managing Board, last night.

Todung said that the KPK could take over Suharto's case from the Attorney General's Office.

“This must be done, and it can be done,” he said.

The KPK is also authorized to investigate corruption cases apart from the twelve foundations connected with Suharto, without the prior approval of the president or the government.

Agung Hendarto, Executive Director of the Indonesian Transparency Society (MTI), is of the opinion that the KPK cannot by itself solve legal cases regarding Suharto.

“This is because there are very many problems.”

It would be better for the KPK to focus more on corruption cases, while cases involving human rights violations be handled by the National Human Rights Commission.

Agus Supriyanto, Sutarto, Yophiandi and Dimas Adityo