Kupang city secretary named suspect in alleged corruption case

Kupang city secretary named suspect in alleged corruption case

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang | Fri, 02/10/2012 12:57 PM


The Kupang Prosecutor’s Office named Kupang city secretary Habde Adrianus Dami and the director of CV Harapan Baik, Isakh Teddy Tanoni, as suspects on Friday in the corruption case surrounding the procurement of seven boats for the Kupang Maritime and Fishery Agency.

Officials estimated that the state suffered at least Rp 268 million (US$30,016) in losses in the case.

The office’s special crime division head, Shirley Manutede, said her office had gathered sufficient evidence in its lengthy investigation, adding that the office announced the status to the public a week after it completed its preliminary investigation.

“We have scheduled [Habde and Isakh] for question starting early next week at the latest,” Shirley said.

The corruption allegations were built following the results of an audit report by the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) on the procurement of the boats for the province in 2008 worth Rp 1.37 billion.

“The audit report is only one of several pieces of evidence we have,” Shirley said.

Investigators questioned several witnesses, including expert staff at the comptroller’s office, and collected documents to corroborate the allegations.

Kupang city secretary Habde Adrianus Dami declined to meet the media. Through one of his staffers, he told reporters that he was busy.

Meanwhile, Kupang Mayor Daniel Adoe said that his administration would not impede legal proceedings against his subordinate.

“Under my leadership, corruption eradication is one of my top priorities. Therefore, anyone who commits corruption must face the law,” Daniel said.

Daniel added that his administration would not provide any legal representation to defend the official implicated in the corruption case.