Novianti Setuningsih, Jakarta – One slipped through the cracks. That was the admission from Indonesia's chief graft fighter about the inclusion of veteran politician Tjahjo Kumolo in President Joko Widodo's cabinet – despite the fact that he had been flagged following checks by the national antigraft agency and the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center.
Tjahjo, from Joko's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), was named the country's new minister for home affairs on Sunday.
Though placed in the "low zone" of candidates deemed questionable, he was not considered a potential risk of being named a graft suspect, Abraham Samad, chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), said on Monday. "There was indeed a note" against the name of Tjahjo, Samad told reporters.
The red flag against Tjahjo was his failure to submit wealth reports to authorities since 2001, when he first joined the House of Representatives. As a public official, he was required to disclose his wealth at the end of his term in 2004, and again later that same year when he was reelected.
Tjahjo also failed to declare his earnings in 2009 – when his career at the House was picked up once more – and at the end of his term this year.
As a result, the only financial record the KPK has of Tjahjo lists his wealth at just Rp 511.5 million ($42,100), as reported in 2001. That makes him, on paper anyway, the least wealthy of the 34 new ministers – although 13 years in the House, and at least one car that retails for double his stated wealth, make it all but apparent that he has far more than that.
Joko delayed announcing his cabinet earlier this month, pending checks conducted by the KPK and the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), and made it clear that he would not accept candidates who had been yellow- or red-flagged by the agencies.
By law, public officials, regional leaders, lawmakers and state firm directors are required to disclose their wealth before and after they take office, including when they take up a new position, get transferred or receive a promotion.
The KPK will then verify the officials' wealth and assets to ensure that they do not come from corruption practices during their term in office.
KPK deputy chairman Busyro Muqoddas on Monday reminded all of Joko's 34 ministers regarding their obligation to submit a wealth report. "Now [that they're government officials] they have to report everything," Busyro said.
So far, no one has complied and disclosed their wealth. But based on earlier data submitted to the KPK, Puan Maharani, the nation's new coordinating minister for human resources development and culture, has a reported total wealth of more than $2.8 million.
The report is based on data from January 2010, when the 41-year-old daughter of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri was still a PDI-P lawmaker. At that time, Puan possessed properties worth Rp 16.7 billion ($1.375 million) and other sources of wealth – such as vehicles and money – totaling an additional Rp 17.4 billion and $28,125.
Meanwhile, the new State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Mariani Suwandi had a fortune of Rp 48 billion in properties, precious stones and cash, and a further Rp 75.7 billion in bonds, according to her 2004 wealth report, the latest data available on her finances.
Rini, who last submitted her wealth report when she ended her term as industry and trade minister under former president Megawati, also had a debt of Rp 66.1 billion and $1.45 million at the time.
It is not known what her wealth is now, and whether the debt is still outstanding. Although she looks to be among the wealthier ministers in Joko's cabinet, her wealth was not shocking considering she has served as chief executive in some of Indonesia's biggest companies.
But still, Rini has come in for criticism and may well be among those flagged by the KPK. The KPK questioned the SOE minister last year in an investigation related to so-called release and discharge documents obtained by debtor conglomerates in the notorious Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI) case.
Rini, who was the deputy chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), was questioned in connection with her position as a member of the Committee for the Stabilization of the Financial Sector (KSSK).
The KPK suspected that Rini knew about the process of obtaining the discharge release papers issued by IBRA, based on a 2002 Presidential Instruction and signed by the then-president, Megawati, on her key economy minister's recommendation.
Hadji Kalla Group
Rini's disclosed wealth, however, was nothing compared to that of Vice President Jusuf Kalla, whose family owns the Hadji Kalla Group.
Kalla last disclosed his wealth in July shortly before the presidential election campaign, where he states to own a whopping total assets of Rp 465.6 billion and a further $1 million. Meanwhile Joko, who owns a furniture business in his hometown Solo, states his fortune at Rp 29.8 billion.
Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin could well be among Joko's less wealthiest cabinet members. Lukman last disclosed his wealth in 2009 when he became Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), listing his a total wealth at Rp 4.56 billion and a further $102,270.
Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan owned up to Rp 23.5 billion per 2012, when he became president director of state railway firm Kereta Api Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, who disclosed his wealth in 2010 when he became president director of state telecommunication company Telkom, had a wealth of Rp 24.8 billion.
Not all members of Joko's cabinet have disclosed their finances to the KPK as some have never before held a government, parliamentary or state firm post.
Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/kpk-pdi-ps-tjahjo-kumolo-questionable-pick/