Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 11/28/2008 10:52 AM | National
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) on Thursday seized equipment belonging to a company operating an online service at the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, in a move allowing the government to assume control over the system.
The seizure of 100 items, including computers and servers, was conducted in connection to alleged corruption within the ministry's directorate general of public legal administration, which is believed to have cost the state Rp 400 billion (US$33 million).
State prosecutors also closed off the room at the directorate general in which the system was operated.
"The seizure means the system will be no longer operated by the ministry's business partner (PT Sarana Rekatama Dinamika) and will be handed over to and fully operated by the ministry," head of the investigation team, Faried Haryanto, said.
The ministry had earlier indicated its readiness to take over the system.
Faried said prosecutors would temporarily relocate the equipment to another room within the ministry building.
"There is no need to worry because the services will continue," he added.
With the ministry fully operating the system, the money generated from it will go the state, Faried said.
Former justice minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra appointed PT Sarana Rekatama Dinamika (SRD) the operator of the service under an agreement which gave the private firm the lion's share -- 90 percent -- of the revenue. The ministry's revenue was shared between its cooperative and senior officials at the directorate general, with the amount received depending on rank.
State prosecutors have insisted the money generated from the system should have gone to the state coffers as non-tax revenue because the system offered public services.
Assistant attorney general for special crimes Marwan Effendi said the AGO was currently focusing its investigation on the internal distribution of the revenue.
"The investigation into the 90:10 deal between SRD and the ministry will follow, including (an investigation) into those responsible for that," Marwan said.
Former directors general Romli Atmasasmita and Zulkarnain Yunus, incumbent director general Syamsuddin Manan Sinaga and SRD president director Yohannes Woworuntu have already been named suspects in the case.
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) on Thursday seized equipment belonging to a company operating an online service at the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, in a move allowing the government to assume control over the system.
The seizure of 100 items, including computers and servers, was conducted in connection to alleged corruption within the ministry's directorate general of public legal administration, which is believed to have cost the state Rp 400 billion (US$33 million).
State prosecutors also closed off the room at the directorate general in which the system was operated.
"The seizure means the system will be no longer operated by the ministry's business partner (PT Sarana Rekatama Dinamika) and will be handed over to and fully operated by the ministry," head of the investigation team, Faried Haryanto, said.
The ministry had earlier indicated its readiness to take over the system.
Faried said prosecutors would temporarily relocate the equipment to another room within the ministry building.
"There is no need to worry because the services will continue," he added.
With the ministry fully operating the system, the money generated from it will go the state, Faried said.
Former justice minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra appointed PT Sarana Rekatama Dinamika (SRD) the operator of the service under an agreement which gave the private firm the lion's share -- 90 percent -- of the revenue. The ministry's revenue was shared between its cooperative and senior officials at the directorate general, with the amount received depending on rank.
State prosecutors have insisted the money generated from the system should have gone to the state coffers as non-tax revenue because the system offered public services.
Assistant attorney general for special crimes Marwan Effendi said the AGO was currently focusing its investigation on the internal distribution of the revenue.
"The investigation into the 90:10 deal between SRD and the ministry will follow, including (an investigation) into those responsible for that," Marwan said.
Former directors general Romli Atmasasmita and Zulkarnain Yunus, incumbent director general Syamsuddin Manan Sinaga and SRD president director Yohannes Woworuntu have already been named suspects in the case.
