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KPK to scrutinize Ratu Atut's assets
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Wednesday that it would investigate the immense wealth of Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah, who was recently named a suspect in two corruption cases that have also implicated key members of her political dynasty
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he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Wednesday that it would investigate the immense wealth of Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah, who was recently named a suspect in two corruption cases that have also implicated key members of her political dynasty.
KPK spokesperson Johan Budi said that the antigraft body would investigate allegations that Atut led a lavish lifestyle thanks to rampant corruption in the province. 'As with other suspects [an asset investigation] will be carried out on graft suspect RAC,' Johan told The Jakarta Post, referring to Atut by her initials.
He added that the KPK would coordinate with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) to trace the source of Atut's wealth.
KPK commissioner Bambang Widjojanto, meanwhile, said the KPK was currently focusing its probe into Atut's graft charges and that the antigraft body had yet to begin investigating her assets. '[We've only conducted] searches [of her residences] and we will intensify the questioning of witnesses,' he told the Post.
According to Johan, the KPK will summons Atut as a suspect for the first time on Friday.
Atut was named a suspect for her alleged roles in the bribery case involving former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar and Atut's brother, Tubagus 'Wawan' Chaeri Wardana.
Atut was accused of collaborating with Wawan to pay Rp 1 billion (US$82,182) in bribes to Akil to favor Lebak Deputy Regent Amir Hamzah in an election-dispute case being heard by the court.
Apart from the bribery case, KPK investigators have also implicated Atut in a graft case surrounding
the procurement of medical equipment in Banten. The KPK, however, has yet to decide under what articles of the Corruption Law it plans to charge Atut.
Besides being implicated in the two graft cases, Atut has also received criticism over her lavish lifestyle at a time when many people in Banten remained mired in poverty.
In October, a group of students targeted the official residence of Atut in Serang, Banten, as they claimed the building was one of the symbols of excess and greed in Atut's administration.
Atut reportedly allocated Rp 6 billion from the provincial budget to spend on the interior of her
official residence. The provincial government spent Rp 16.4 billion on the construction of the plush building.
Atut then made the bizarre decision to live in accommodations rented by the provincial administration at Rp 250 million per year.
Media reports have also alleged that Atut spent an additional Rp 45 million of taxpayer funds on medicine for her pet deer.
At the same time, despite an annual budget of nearly Rp 6 trillion, the Banten administration has failed to build infrastructure or develop a poverty-reduction program, which has left Pandeglang, Lebak and Serang among the most disadvantaged regions in the country.
Atut, a member of the central board of the Golkar Party, is expected to be suspended from her position as Banten governor, which would clear the way for Banten Deputy Governor Rano Karno, an actor-turned Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician, to replace Atut.
The 2004 Regional Administration Law stipulates that a governor, regent or mayor must be suspended should he or she be named a suspect in a criminal case and his or her deputy must assume the governor's duties. Regional leaders found guilty of criminality must be dismissed.
Atut's imminent downfall, therefore, has led many to speculate that the PDI-P will use the opportunity to take over Golkar's dominance in Banten. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Pramono Anung Wibowo of the PDI-P denied suggestions on Wednesday that his party was taking advantage of Atut's predicament.
'What's clear is that the PDI-P have never sought to gain authority or power by taking down other people,' he told reporters during a visit to the KPK's headquarters in Kuningan, South Jakarta.
Pramono, however, said that Rano had to be ready to take over the leadership from Atut. 'If someone has been charged with graft, then whether she wants to or not, she has to be ready [to hand over her position to Rano],' he said.
