The case of alleged graft in the procurement of Transjakarta buses has entered a new chapter as one of Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's acquaintances has been named as an alleged middleman for the tender.
Tempo magazine published on Monday an investigative report on the faulty-bus case, which mentioned Michael Bimo Putranto, a former councilor in Surakarta (Solo), Central Java, and a former member of Jokowi's campaign team when he ran for Surakarta mayor in 2005 and again in 2010.
Michael was referred to as a middleman who connected tender participants with Jakarta Transportation Agency officials in the procurement of hundreds of Transjakarta buses last year.
Last year, the Jakarta administration allocated Rp 1 trillion (US$88 million) for the procurement of 656 buses to improve public transportation in the capital.
Michael was also said to have introduced a number of businessmen and Jakarta Transportation Agency officials to the manufacturer of the Ankai bus in Hefei, Anhui, China, in May 2013.
He also allegedly escorted three tender winners to meet with then-Jakarta Transportation Agency head Udar Pristono, a day before Udar was removed from his position.
Jokowi admitted that he knew Michael, but denied any involvement in the tender.
"Of course, I know him. But I don't even know what he does for a living," Jokowi said at City Hall on Monday. "The procurement was carried out through a tender, and a tender carries various risks. The tender winners could include my neighbor, my friend or even my enemy. But a rule is a rule. I will take action against those who violate the rules."
He reiterated that he had warned his agency heads to ignore people claiming to be his close friends and abusing that for their own gains.
"I always told them to be careful with people carrying my picture or claiming to be my relatives or close friends. I was supported not only by hundreds but thousands of volunteers during the gubernatorial campaign," he said.
"I've been through four elections: two in Solo and then two in Jakarta [the first and second round of the gubernatorial election]. This sort of thing happens all the time."
Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama acknowledged that Michael was no stranger to the governor.
"Yes, the governor knows him. And he [Michael] did that all the time [using the governor's name for his own advantage]," he said.
Ahok added that such unfortunate incidents could not be avoided.
"People, councilors, come and ask to have their pictures taken with us all the time. What should we do? We can't just refuse and ask them to leave," he said.
The case came to light after pictures of rust-ridden parts on the new buses began to circulate in the media. Reports found that around 15 newly delivered buses were allegedly not new but had damaged components, including power-steering parts, engine mounts, machine pulleys and air filters. The buses' coolant tanks were leaking, windshields were broken, dashboard instruments were unscrewed and air-conditioning units were faulty.
The Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) reported the alleged irregularities in the buses' procurement to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which is currently investigating the allegations.
KPK head Abraham Samad said recently that should the antigraft body find at least two pieces of evidence, it would launch a full investigation into the case. "The investigation may take some time. I can't say which stage we are at now because it is related to our intelligence work."
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