YUDHOYONO'S PERSONAL WEALTH UP 20 PCT

Jakarta, May 19 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's personal wealth increased by 20 percent during the last two years of his term as head of state, an anti-graft body official said.

Eko Tjiptadi of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said here on Tuesday the rise by 20 percent of the president's wealth was noted after the KPK conducted a check on his wealth at his Cikeas residence in Bogor, West Java.

"There was an increase by 20 percent from his last wealth report in 2007. At that time Yudhoyono's wealth was recorded at Rp7.144 billion plus US$44,887," Eko said.

The last time the president reported his wealth was on July 2, 2007.

The increase in Yudhoyono's wealth derived from the saving of his salaries over the past two years and the increase in the sales value of his taxable non-chattel properties.

On Tuesday, the KPK team conducted wealth checks on in the houses of three presidential and vice presidential candidates who would compete in the upcoming July 8 2009 presidential polls.

KPK also checked the wealth of Megawati Soekarnoputri at her Teuku Umar residence, Central Jakarta, the wealth of Jusuf Kalla at his Diponegoro residence and Prabowo Subianto in Citerup. Bogor.

On the Wednesday, the anti-graft body will also check the wealth of Wiranto and Bodiono.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has given until May 16 for presidential and vice presidential candidates to report on their wealth.

Three presidential and vice presidential pairs-up, namely Kalla-Wiranto, Megawati-Probowo and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Boediono, have reported their wealth to the KPK.

According to reports which have not yet been confirmed by the KPK, Prabowo is the richest candidates with wealth worth Rp1.7 trillion in the form of cash Rp28 billion, motor vehicles, shares in Agrgentine and France.

Jusuf Kalla based on KPK report in May 2007 has Rp253.912 billion and US$14,928, Megawati per Dec. 2004 has Rp86.265 billion, Wiranto based on report in 2004 has rp46215 billion and Boediono based on May 31 2008 report had Rp18.66 billion and US$10,000.***1***