KPK Awaits President`s Answer on Social Aid Funds

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had yet to reply to its letter recommending that the social aid funds be managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

"We have yet to receive the presidents reply to our letter, but we are monitoring this matter," KPKs Deputy Chief Busyro Muqqodas told newsmen here on Tuesday in response to a question on the antigraft bodys letter to the head of state.

The commission had sent the letter a week ago, asking the central government to allow the social funds to be managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs to avoid embezzlement before the parliamentary and presidential elections.

"If we receive the peoples reports about alleged embezzlement of the social aid funds involving incumbent ministers or their subordinates as well as members of the House of Representatives and regional legislative assembly, we are not going to tolerate these cases," he said.

The 2009 general elections had produced a corrupt regime, he said, adding that this situation should not be allowed to get worse because it would make the peoples condition more difficult. "We must help the people," Busyro said.

KPKs recent study had showed that the amount of social aid funds and grants in provincial budgets increased from Rp15.9 trillion in 2011 and Rp37.9 trillion in 2012 to Rp49 trillion in 2013.