Gayus ‘domino effect’ continues at immigration office

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 01/24/2011

Law and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar said at least 27 officers from the Immigration Office had been suspended following revelation of a falsified passport used by graft convict Gayus Tambunan.

“The number has increased from 16 to 27,” Patrialis said as quoted by tempointeraktif.com on Monday.

Patrialis said the suspension of the 27 officers was proof of the government’s renewed commitment to eradicating judicial and tax corruption.

Coordinating People’s Welfare Minister Hatta Rajasa shared similar views to Patrialis.

“I think people should not doubt [the government’s commitment to fighting corruption] because there is now a system in place to work on the presidential instructions,” Hatta said.

Hatta referred to 12 instructions issued by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to speed up the investigation of the Gayus case. The instructions, among other things, assigned Vice President Boediono to oversee the implementation of the instructions.