Comment: Nias disaster aid embezzlement

Nov. 12, Online
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will investigate allegations that a local official embezzled state money earmarked for Nias disaster victims, an anti-graft official says.
“We have dispatched a team to investigate the report,” KPK spokesman Johan Budi said, as quoted by kompas.com.
In a complaint filed with the KPK, activist Herman Harefa said the central government transferred Rp 9.48 billion (US$1.06 million) to the local government’s bank account to fund relief efforts for tsunami and earthquake victims on Nias Island.
In March 2008, a local official allegedly transferred the remaining state funds to his personal bank account, saying that the money would be used to finance several projects for the people.  

Your comments:

No one holding official positions can be trusted there. They steal from the needy and poor all the time. Can you imagine how much the officials stole from aid money given by other countries during the 2004 tsunami?
It must be a large percentage. Any country or agency wishing to help are wasting their efforts. They are only making Indonesian officials wealthier.
 Barry Acott
Australia

People wondered why a tsunami warning system wasn’t in place for Mentawai as had been promised after the big tsunami in 2004.
Congratulations to the local politicians who claim to be holier-than-thou while stealing the public’s money! Now you have blood on your hands as well.
Bob
Jakarta