KPK arrests former BPK auditor for covering up graft case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Thursday former auditor for the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) Bagindo Quirino due to his alleged role in manipulating the audit of a documented training equipment embezzlement scheme at the Manpower and Transmigration Ministry.

According to state news agency Antara, Bagindo declined to answer journalists' questions as he left KPK headquarters on his way to East Jakarta's Cipiang detention center Thursday evening.

KPK spokesperson Johan Budi said Thursday the investigators had officially charged Bagindo once they had enough evidence.

Last week the KPK declared Bagindo a suspect in this graft case, which has allegedly cost the state Rp 13.6 billion (US$ 1.2 million).

During previous trial sessions on the same case, convicted top ministry official Taswin Zein admitted he had given Rp 650 million to Bagindo to manipulate the BPK audit on the project report.

Taswin has been sentenced to serve four years in jail because he overcharged on the project and directly appointed PT Gita Vidya Utama as the sole provider for all equipment needed by 19 training centers across the country in 2004. (ewd)