Education sector contributed most corruption cases in 2011, ICW

The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) recorded that corruption in the education sector contributed the most cases in 2011.

Of 436 cases handled by law enforcers last year, 12.4 percent, or 54 cases, were associated with corruption in the education sector, outnumbering corruption cases involving regional finance and the social transportation sectors, which recorded 42 and 37 cases respectively, ICW stated in a press release sent to The Jakarta Post on Monday.

According to Febri Hendri, ICW’s division coordinator for public service monitoring, corruption cases in 2011 had caused Rp. 2.17 trillion (US$241,245,136) in state loses involving 1,053 suspects, implicating officials from both central and regional levels, lawmakers, businessmen and directors of state and regional owned companies.

“The high number of corruption cases in the education sector is likely due to the increase in budget allocations,” Febri said.

He added that in 2005 the budget allocated for education was Rp 33.4 trillion, but soared to Rp 209.4 trillion in 2010 and Rp 248 trillion in 2011.

“The corruption modus is through embezzlement and mark ups,” Febri said. (nvn)