TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama firmly denied the emerged public opinion stating that there has been a barter between him and developers of the reclamation project.

“It was not a barter transaction. Barter in Indonesian means a win-win solution, or having the same value. This is not a barter, but an obligation,” Ahok said in City Hall on Friday, May 20, 2016.

According to Ahok, the issue of barter with the the money received by Sanusi is emerged due to the statement of Deputy Chairman of Local Parliament Jakarta Muhammad Taufik saying that there is no 15 percent contribution.

Ahok explained that the contribution is an obligation that must be paid by developers of the reclamation island. “Why they suddenly said I wanted a barter?” he said.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is currently investigating this issue. The exchange is believed to have been made by Ahok with a number of developers of the reclamation island. The developers were asked to build a public facility which would be calculated as a reduction of additional reclamation contribution which they shall give to Jakarta Administration. KPK saw Ahok have committed discretion without a legal basis.

Ahok says the establishment of 15 percent contribution – that the developers shall fulfilled – is referring to the calculation of an independent consultant. He uses the standard taxable value per year, so that the obligation value from the developers will increase.

The Governor also insisted the 15 percent contribution has a legal basis that supports an official to perform discretion. “I’d say this (additional 15 percent contribution) has a legal basis,” said Ahok.

DANANG FIRMANTO