Former Social Affairs Minister Accused of Stealing From Victims of Natural Disasters

Jakarta Globe, Nivell Rayda | November 23, 2010

Former Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah before his trial in the Anti-Corruption Court got underway on Tuesday. He faces life imprisonment for his alleged roles in three separate cases of corruption, which are said to have cost a total of Rp 36.6 billion ($4.1 million) in state losses. (JG Photo / Afriadi Hikmal).

Jakarta. Former Social Affairs Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah faces life imprisonment for his alleged roles in three separate cases of corruption — including one case in which he allegedly profited from victims of natural disasters — which are said to have cost a total of Rp 36.6 billion ($4.1 million) in state losses.

The Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday began hearing Bachtiar’s trial. Prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) formally indicted the United Development Party (PPP) politician, accusing him of violating articles 2 and 3 of the 1999 Law on Corruption.

Lead prosecutor Zet Todung Allo told the court that in all three cases, Bachtiar had appointed companies without tender processes linked to the procurement of live cows, sewing machines and sarongs.

Zet, reading the indictment, said Bachtiar violated the law for personal profit, or to allow others or private corporations to profit.

In the first case, Bachtiar is suspected of collaborating with a private importer, PT Atmadhira Karya, to mislead the government about the number of live cows imported from Australia in 2004.

Atmadhira later channeled Rp 800 million to a non-profit foundation owned by Bachtiar, Insan Cendikia.

That same year, the ministry appointed PT Ladang Sutera Indonesia to provide 6,000 sewing machines to assist home industries nationwide.

The KPK said, however, said that ministry officials had contrived for the machines to be distributed to major companies because they were unsuitable for use by small and medium enterprises.

In the third case, Bachtiar allegedly conspired with businessman Cep Ruhyat to rig the procurement of sarongs earmarked for victims of natural disasters in 2006 to 2008.

Bachtiar denied enjoying illicit funds from the projects, saying that his former director general on social aid and security, Amrun Daulay, was in charge of the procurement processes.

Amrun is now a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party headed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.