KPK Recovers Rp1.196 Trillion in State Losses from Corruption

Jakarta (Antara) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said it has paid Rp1.542 trillion to the state treasury in non tax income in 2013. The fund included Rp346.2 billion in unspent budget of the anti graft body and the rest or Rp1,196 trillion were funds recovered from state losses in corruption and graft, its chairman Abraham Samad said here on Monday. "All KPK's activities this year are financed with fund from the state budget. Only Rp257.6 billion of the budget of Rp703.8 billion were used by KPK," Abraham Samad said in a year end press conference. The funds recovered by KPK from state losses in corruption and graft included cash and funds from the sales of assets confiscated from convicts, fines and cost imposed on convicts. "KPK, therefore, succeeded in recovering Rp1.196 trillion from the state losses inflicted in corruption," Abraham said. The unspent budget was the result of efficiency by KPK returned to the state treasury, he added. Deputy chairman of KPK Bambang Widjojanto said KPK is seeking to give a deterrent effect on corrupt people, a breakthrough in the fight against corruption in the country, one of the world's most corrupt nations. Adoption of the law on money laundering is part of the breakthrough to stamp out corruption and to recover as much as possible state losses inflicted by corrupt people, Bambang said. Another KPK deputy chairman, Zulkarnain, said the number of reports of people allegedly receiving illegal gratification money hit a record high this year or the highest in 10 years. Zulkarnain said KPK received 1,300 reports of people allegedly accepting illegal gratification money in 2013 , involving lawmakers, and officials of government agencies , state companies and independent bodies. "Guitar given to Jokowi has become state property," he cited referring to a guitar given to Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo. (*)