Lawmaker in NTT says 27b learning fund embezzled

Yemris Fointuna , The Jakarta Post , Kupang | Sat, 02/23/2008 4:44 PM | The Archipelago

A legislator has called for the investigation of an education official in Kupang for the alleged embezzlement of Rp 27 billion in East Nusa Tenggara.

Anita Jacoba Gah of the Democratic Party (PD) said here Friday she had reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) a possible graft case she found during her field tour to remote areas in the province last December.

She alleged the chief of the non-school education section of the provincial government, Marthen Diratome, embezzled Rp 27 billion of Rp 77 billion allocated by the central government for illiteracy programs in the 2007 fiscal year.

Anita said Diratome marked up the number of participants, instructors, supervisors and education materials in the program.

"Several district heads in the provinces know nothing about the non-school education program for illiteracy eradication in their own districts and they have never been involved in the anti-illiteracy education program," she said.

She said she had also filed a complaint with the Education Ministry and the governor.

Diratome called the allegation baseless, saying the program's budget was accountable and transparent.

"The allegation is premature and dirty politics to make a sensation and seek personal popularity on eve of the 2009 legislative election. She (Anita) does not understand the budgetary system and her report to the KPK is aimed at provoking local people to discredit the government," he said Friday.

Of Rp 77 billion allocated for the non-school education program, he said, only Rp 32 billion was used to finance the anti-illiteracy program while the remaining Rp 45 billion was used to finance secondary education packages A, B and C.

He said the government had launched the special program outside the bureaucracy and it was carried out by setting up 11,100 illiteracy groups, each consisting of ten members.

Each group receives Rp 2.9 million to finance learning activities and teacher and supervisor payment, he said.

"Many district heads may know nothing about the program because it has been carried out by non-governmental organizations and religious organizations, including churches," he said.

West Sabu district head Imanuel Riwu lauded the anti-illiteracy program, saying 215 groups in the district had become more literate not only in reading but also in politics and governance.

He said he did not see any irregularities in the program.

The Kupang legislative council has set up a committee to investigate the allegations.

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