Jakarta – The Indonesia Procurement Watch (IPW) has called on the public to monitor the procurement of goods and services in the General Election Commission (KPU) for the 2004 election.

A member of the IPW Supervisory Board, Batara Lumbanraja, said on Thursday the supply of goods and services for the general election was closely related to the state budget and hence it would need public supervision.

The World Bank as well as Transparency International have indicated that goods and services procurement had become one source of corruption.

Regarding the procurement of goods and services, Lumbanraja said, the commission's work in the field would affect the quality of the general election.

Therefore, Lumbanraja said, IPW would encourage KPU to be transparent, accountable, fair and avoid any irregularities.

The organization has also called on the active participation of the public in the monitoring and they can file a complaint through IPW's hotline (021) 8296452, PO Box 8877 JKSTB, or e-mail ipwatch@cbn.net.id.

Lumbanraja said, IPW has also investigated an alleged mark-up in the development of the 238 billion rupiah (US$28.4 million) busway project conducted by the Jakarta city administration. "IPW is investigating indications of irregularities in the supply of goods and services [in the busway project]," Lumbanraja said.

The organization has called on the Jakarta administration to uphold the principle of transparency and accountability, and conveyed any data or documents needed for the investigation.