Poll watchdog eyes money analysis center as partner

JAKARTA: The Election Supervision Body (Bawaslu) has committed to cooperate with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) to investigate local government officials suspected of money laundering and graft.

Bawaslu chairman Nur Hidayat Sardini said the idea had been prompted by numerous reports of regional candidates linked to suspicious bank transactions and vote rigging.

"We will always find out if candidates obtain their campaign funds legally," he said.

Bawaslu and the PPATK signed the agreement in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Nur Hidayat said Bawaslu was collecting data about elected regional heads and would ask the PPATK to investigate their bank accounts. - JP