Ahok stated that he had wondered about what he had actually violated, and added that whatever he had done so far had only been aimed at saving state money.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama said here on Friday that he was ready to be discharged if found breaking the law with regard to the draft budget, which was strongly criticized.

"If I violate a law, they have the right to launch an investigation. If I am found guilty, they may report the result of the investigation to the Supreme Court and ask them to fire me. I have said that I am already prepared to be dismissed," he remarked.

Ahok, as the governor is also known, made the statement after most members of the Regional Legislative Assembly (DPRD) signed an agreement to exercise their right to investigate the draft budget, which was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs recently, as they believed that it violated regulations.

Known for being straightforward, Ahok stated that he had wondered about what he had actually violated, and added that whatever he had done so far had only been aimed at saving state money.

Regarding his move to send the draft regional budget, which was made based on an e-budgeting system, to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ahok revealed that he had submitted it to the ministry because he had found indications of a marked-up purchase worth trillion of rupiahs in the previous draft budget.

"Had they already approved it during their plenary session? With regard to the issue over signatures, I informed the minister of home affairs that if I resubmitted a copy of the draft budget to get signatures, they were likely to cheat again, or mark it up again, which could lead to a loss of another Rp12.1 trillion," he warned.

The governor further noted that if he had added the Rp12.1 trillion funds into the e-budget without questioning it to spare himself from being accused of being unable to communicate properly, he believes the current chaos could have been avoided.

"Had I ordered the Regional Development Planning Board (Bappeda) to include the funds without worrying about being called a governor who does not know how to communicate appropriately, this conflict could have been avoided. But, perhaps, the DPRD never believed that I was not seeking a rank. Anyone afraid of losing a position would certainly not challenge the DPRD. But I will challenge anyone to ensure that state money is not stolen," he emphasized.

When questioned whether the decision made by the DPRD on Thursday to use its investigation right was a bluff, Ahok said he did not know, but would ask them to implement it himself so people were clear about who was in the wrong.

"I do not like bluffing. I want the truth. I think I have to go forward with this so problems in the country can be settled," he stressed.

Ahok observed that people were aware of the fact that something was not right, but they had difficulty proving it simply by pointing out the luxurious lifestyle of members of the DPRD.

"You may look at all their luxurious cars. Everybody is suspicious, but none of them have the courage to speak up for fear of losing their ranks. When will such thefts end? The US dollar now amounts to nearly Rp13,000, and we lag far behind Malaysia," he remarked. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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