TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - There is nothing wrong with the idea of social assistance as a means of distributing development funds. Deciding on the selection in a bottom-up way through discussions-from the villages to the center takes a long time-social assistance is determined from top to bottom. Regulations allow regents or governors to give social assistance to groups that need it.
Therefore, repairing damaged school buildings or collapsing community health centers, within certain budget limits, is seen as happening faster if it is done through social assistance instead of waiting for State Budget funds to be cleared.
But in the hands of greedy leaders, even the best ideas always leave opportunities to mischief. We often hear of associations applying for social assistance, then turn out to be phony-with addresses in graveyards or soccer fields. This was why President Joko Widodo decided to stop payments of this assistance.
Abuses have happened in several regions, the latest in North Sumatra. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detained attorney Otto Cornelis Kaligis on suspicion of bribing judges. The bribes were allegedly paid so judges would rule in favor of the lawsuit launched by North Sumatra Financial Bureau Chief, Ahmad Fuad Lubis against the regional attorney general's office investigating embezzlement of social assistance funds. Ahmad sued the office because he refused to be questioned as a witness.
The investigation into a suspected corruption case of social assistance funds began in 2011-when North Sumatra was led by Gatot Pujo Nugroho, the acting governor who replaced Syamsul Arifin, who was subsequently jailed for embezzling state funds. Gatot is believed to have used assistance funds for the 2013 gubernatorial election campaign. An investigation by prosecutors into North Sumatra funds during that period showed that funds had not been used in accordance with regulations.
Striking while the iron was still hot, the regional prosecutor's office investigated suspicions of corruption at the lower levels, which is why junior officials were jailed first, such as aides and staffers. The investigation spread to Ahmad Fuad Lubis when he became treasurer of the region three months ago. Suspects testified that bribes were given in an attempt to limit the investigation so that it did not reach Governor Gatot. And from Ahmad, it came to light that the source of the money was Gatot himself. Last week, the KPK indicted Gatot as well as his wife, Evi Susanti, for abuse of state funds.
To ensure the investigation is effective, prosecutors should hand over information of embezzled social assistance funds in North Sumatra to the KPK. The commission is seen as much more likely to investigate corruption, while the prosecution and the police are seen as allies of corruptors. If the investigation is handed over, the KPK will be able to handle two cases at the same time: the misuse of assistance funds and the bribing of judges.
There are also suspicions that the judges and prosecutors are 'playing games' in the investigation of this case. The protracted process, which has lasted more than four years, has triggered fears that the prosecutors and the judges have been using the suspects as an ATM. The KPK must not ignore these indications. Law enforcement officials involved must be investigated.
The crooked attorneys must face justice too. It has long been an open secret that they take short cuts to win lawsuits: bribing police officers, prosecutors and judges to ensure their clients win cases.
The complete and swift investigation into the alleged bribery will serve as a warning to other regional chiefs. Regional politics is heating up at the moment in the lead-up to the simultaneous regional elections in December. It is not impossible that incumbents will take advantage of the social funds they control as sources of campaign funds.
The KPK must use the North Sumatra case as a mementum to eradicate misuses of social funds. Competition in the simultaneous local elections should be used by the KPK to look for justice collaborators. The commission should continue its investigation all the way to the roots-the political parties supporting the candidates. We have often heard of corruption in local elections using social funds being 'blessed' by parties if some of it also go to party managers.
Politics funded by the proceeds of corruption gives rise to corrupt and greedy leaders. For proof of this, the case of Governor Gatot is a perfect example of corruption across the generations. After several of his predecessors slipped into the pit of corruption, now the 'successor' has gone the same way. (*)
Read the full story in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine
