Anti-graft Party Stained By Bribe Allegations

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday April 15, 2008

Mark Forbes Herald Correspondent in Jakarta

PARLIAMENTARIANS from Indonesia's leading anti-graft party have handed back $120,000 in alleged bribes, but only after another MP was arrested for receiving a related pay-off to clear a protected forest.

The move is another blow to the credibility of Indonesia's politicians, with a range of Anti-Corruption Commission investigations revealing bribing MPs remains routine.

A senior member of the Islamic-orientated Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Suswono, said the $120,000 was paid to party members on parliament's commission overseeing forestry, of which he is the deputy chairman. The money came from regional officials, including the Bintan regency, he said.

Mr Suswono, whose party rose to prominence on an anti-corruption platform, said all members of his commission should be questioned over the payments to address public suspicion.

Last week an MP with the United Development Party, Al Amin Nasution, was arrested in a Jakarta hotel after allegedly receiving part of a $400,000 bribe from Bintan's regional secretary.

Plans to develop a new Bintan provincial capital have been stalled as the selected site is a protected forest, requiring a recommendation from the forestry commission for redevelopment to proceed.

Another nine members of the forestry commission were with Nasution when he was arrested. They had just approved withdrawing the Bintan forest's protection.

The deputy chairman of the parliament's disciplinary council, Gayus Lumbuun, said there were indications all nine had taken bribes and should be investigated. The commission said it would expand its inquiries if witness statements implicated others.

The commission has been criticised for a reluctance to fully pursue some MPs. A survey by Transparency International last year rated Indonesia's House of Representatives the most corrupt institution in the nation.

With the parliament moving at a snail's pace, many organisations, even government bodies, pay politicians to pass bills.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home