All six pairs of Jakarta gubernatorial candidates signed on Thursday an integrity pact to show their commitment to transparency before announcing their assets at the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) headquarters.

Under the agreement, all candidates pledged to perform transparent and fair campaigns and to avoid money politics. “We are encouraging the candidates to practice financial management based on transparency,” KPK deputy chairman Busyro Muqoddas said.

The candidates were required to disclose their wealth to the public before competing in the July 11 poll.

It is now official. Incumbent Fauzi Bowo is the richest candidate, possessing a total of Rp 59.39 billion (US$6.30 million) in assets as of March this year, up from Rp 46.93 billion in 2010. Fauzi’s running mate Nachrowi Ramli, a Democratic Party politician, announced that his total wealth in 2012 reached Rp 15.78 billion. In 2001, Nachrowi’s personal wealth was Rp 683.12 million.

Independent deputy gubernatorial candidate, Biem Triani Benjamin, is the second-richest aspirant with a total of Rp 33.03 billion in assets, including Rp 23.21 billion in securities. His assets grew from Rp 16.46 billion in 2003.

His running mate, gubernatorial hopeful Faisal Basri, announced that he was worth Rp 4.13 billion. The renowned economist had sold his house in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, for Rp 16.5 billion to fund his campaign.

Another independent hopeful, Hendardji Soepandji, came in third with total assets of Rp 32.18 billion this year, a significant increase from Rp 5.99 billion and $170,463 two years ago.

KPK commissioner Adnan Pandu Praja said that all candidates had cooperated while they had conducted the wealth verification. He expected the candidates to remain transparent after being elected. “We know from existing cases that many regional leaders have become involved in graft cases.”

KPK spokesman Johan Budi said the commission would welcome any updates regarding the wealth report. “We are interested if anyone has information about unreported assets,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta) said on Thursday that it had yet to complete the campaign schedule for the campaign period, which is due to commence on June 24.

Suhartono, the poll body’s head for campaigning affairs, said that KPU Jakarta and candidates’ campaign teams had yet to agree on the schedule. “We have to hold more talks with the teams,” he said.

They have yet to agree, for instance, on dates and locations for open rallies, which could attract tens of thousands of viewers.

KPU Jakarta recommends only four venues for the open rallies; namely, the Bung Karno Stadium in Central Jakarta; Soemantri Brodjonegoro Sports Hall and Lebak Bulus Stadium in South Jakarta; and Pacuan Kuda Pulomas Field in East Jakarta

Popular

Indonesian hotel chain confirms exit from Cuba

Health Ministry to push regulation on tobacco plain packaging

Corruption scandals, rupiah fall revive reshuffle talks