Carlos Paath – The investigation into a graft case in which at least two Democratic Party officials have been charged has been intentionally halted to allow the party to focus on the gubernatorial elections in Central Java and East Java, a watchdog claims.

Uchok Sky Khadafi, the director for investigations and advocacy at the Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (Fitra), said the incumbents in both provinces, backed by the Democratic Party, were not fit to seek re-election because their financial management, especially in Central Java, from 2008 to 2012 had been very poor.

"There are still some state losses of Rp 997 million [$102,000] from 68 cases in East Java that have not been followed up. It's also the same with Central Java, the state losses that haven't been followed up reached Rp 22.9 billion from 110 cases," Uchok said on Tuesday.

He added that if the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) proceeded with its investigation into the Hambalang sports center case by summoning the suspects and witnesses, the Democrats would suffer another loss, as they did during the West Java gubernatorial election.

That election was held on Feb. 24, two days after the KPK named Anas Urbaningrum, the Democrat chairman at the time, a suspect in the Hambalang case. The Central Java election will be held on July 31 and the East Java poll on Aug. 29.

"That's why the KPK was 'told' to focus on the beef import corruption case to get the public's attention to shift only to corruption involving the Prosperous Justice Party [PKS] and not the corruption involving the Democrats," Uchok said, adding that he found the KPK's reason for postponing the Hambalang probe strange.

The KPK says it is awaiting the results of an audit by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) into the case. Uchok also accused the KPK of treating the PKS and the Democrats differently.

"The PKS suspects were charged with money laundering, while the Democrats were only charged with abuse of power or bribery. This is not fair for the PKS, which is being made a scapegoat. The KPK must be fair and bring money laundering charges against the Democrat suspects," he said.

Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, the former PKS chief, has been charged in the beef case and detained, unlike Anas, who remains free.