Palu politicians express support for ex-governor in graft case

National News - June 15, 2006

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu

More than 40 politicians and public figures in Palu, Central Sulawesi, came forward Wednesday to give their assurances that former governor Aminuddin Ponulele would not attempt to flee. Aminuddin is a suspect in the alleged embezzlement of humanitarian funds.

The signatures of 44 people, including 35 Central Sulawesi council members, were given to the police along with a request for the suspension of the suspect's arrest.

The request was filed by law firm Idham Chalid on Wednesday. It included the signatures of Palu Mayor Rusdi Mastura, Donggala Regent Adam Ardjad L., Palu-based Tadulako University Rector Sahabuddin Mustapa and Central Sulawesi Council Speaker Murat U. Nasir.

In the letter, the signers said they were willing to pledge that the former governor, who served from 1999-2004, would not attempt to escape, destroy evidence or obstruct the investigation.

Aminuddin was arrested by the police on June 8 for his alleged involvement in thefts from the 2001 Poso humanitarian fund.

The suspect, who is the province's Golkar Party chairman, was put in police custody along with another suspect in the case, DL, who heads CV Ralianti Palu. They were believed to be involved in the embezzlement of transportation funds for people displaced following the Muslim-Christian conflict of 2000 and 2001, which killed more than 1,000 people.

According to Central Sulawesi Police Chief Brig. Gen. Oegroseno, Aminuddin and DL will be charged for violating the 2001 Anticorruption Law. If found guilty, they could be jailed up to 20 years and fined up to Rp 1 billion (US$105,263).

Oegroseno said based on the investigation, the former head of the province's Social Welfare Office, Andi Azikin Suyuti, had instructed the project's leader and treasurer to hand over the fund to Aminuddin, who was the head of the unit coordinating disaster mitigation and displaced people. Andi is currently in Salemba penitentiary in Central Jakarta awaiting trial.

The police chief said a fictitious company, with DL as president, was then set up to handle the fund. It allegedly never worked on the project.

"All the signatures of returning displaced people and the direct appointments (of the company) are fictitious, something that was prepared by a subdivision head of the social welfare office," Oegroseno said.

According to data gathered by The Jakarta Post, the Ministry of Social Services distributed Rp 52.8 billion for 2,000 families of displaced people in 2001. The ministry distributed Rp 74.7 billion for 11,913 families the next year; Rp 57.9 billion for 18,786 families in 2003; and Rp 15.9 billion in 2005 for 5,293 families.

The central government funds were intended to supply critical needs for the displaced people, such as building materials, living costs and transportation. But most of the funds allegedly did not reach them. At least 31 people have been named suspects in the case.***