KPK finds a waste of Rp 2,2 trillion in education spending

Irawaty Wardany, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 01/15/2010 7:26 PM

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has found a budget blowout of Rp 2.2 trillion (US$239 million) in the special allocation fund for the education sector extended to 451 regencies and mayoralties across the country last year.

KPK deputy chief M. Jasin told a media conference Friday the waste of state money was a result of poor planning.

Jasin said the KPK found the Finance Ministry allocated special education funds to 160 regencies and mayoralties, but data from the National Education Ministry revealed the fund allocation was unnecessary.

“The Ministry of National Education said there was no need for rehabilitation funds for schools in the 160 regions,” Jasin said.

The special allocation funds for education reached Rp 9.3 trillion last year, mostly used to rehabilitate classrooms and build school libraries.

Jasin said the KPK also discovered inappropriate use of the education funds. Serang regency administration had reportedly cut Rp 3.3 million off each of the education fund recipients as consultation and supervision fees.

“If the regency has 138 schools, the levies would total Rp 455.4 million,” Jasin said.