KPK Leaders Turn Down Offer of Expensive New Cars From Govt Budget

The Jakarta Globe

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leaders said they will not accept new cars valued at up to Rp 1.3 billion ($137,800) each that have been provided for state officials because they are “too expensive.”

The commission’s deputy chairman Haryono Umar said that he will keep using his old car. State secretary Sudi Silalahi said on Tuesday that the purchase of the cars had been approved by the House of Representatives as part of the 2010 budget.

“Even though (the cars) are part of the state budget the KPK leaders will not take them,” Haryono said at KPK office on Tuesday evening. Haryono suggested state officials should use Indonesian-made cars such as the Toyota Innova.

Presidential spokesman Julian Adrian Pasha refused to comment on the KPK’s decision to turn down the cars.

“I can’t say anything about it. Ask the state secretary,” Julian said.

On Monday, 150 state officials received a new Toyota Crown Royal Saloon. The state officials included ministers and parliament leaders.