Dozens of Officials File Reports With KPK After Receiving Free Asian Games Tickets
Jakarta. The national antigraft agency said on Friday (07/09) that it has received 19 reports from officials and government employees who had received gratuities in the form of free tickets to events during the 2018 Asian Games.
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) spokesman Febri Diansyah said the reports involve 21 tickets, either for the opening or closing ceremonies, or matches during this year's multisport event, hosted by Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, between Aug. 18 and Sept. 2.
"Eighteen of them did not use the tickets, while one reported having used tickets for the opening ceremony," Febri said, as quoted by state-run news agency Antara.
He added that the reports are from various institutions and officials, including directors general, directors and account representatives at the Ministry of Finance's directorate general of taxation. The KPK did not say who gave the tickets to the officials.
The Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (Inasgoc) faced criticism last month for having allocated too many tickets to sponsors and team officials. Most of the tickets were unused, as was evident from the large number of empty seats at various venues, while many eager spectators were unable to secure tickets.
Tickets for matches at the 2018 Asian Games, cost between Rp 50,000 and Rp 800,000 ($3.30-$53), while tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies cost between Rp 450,000 and Rp 7.4 million.
The national antigraft agency reminded officials to file reports within 30 days after receiving any gratuity. Those failing to do so may be prosecuted and face a minimum sentence of four years in prison, Febri said.
Gratuities include money, goods, discounts, commissions, interest-free loans, free travel tickets, accommodation, tours, or free medicines and more, as laid out in the 2001 Corruption Law.
The KPK previously said it had received reports of officials requesting or accepting free Asian Games tickets, and clarified that official invitations to represent ministries or state institutions are not considered gratuities.
The agency arrested 41 of the 45-member Regional Legislative Council in Malang, East Java, last week for alleged bribery.
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