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AGO's top prosecutors grilled over bribery case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned for 11 hours senior members of the Attorney General's Office in connection with the alleged case of bribery involving prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan
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The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned for 11 hours senior members of the Attorney General's Office in connection with the alleged case of bribery involving prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan.
Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Kemas Yahya Rahman and his Director of Investigation M. Salim Wednesday were grilled by KPK investigators Wednesday.
Kemas and Salim were senior to prosecutor Urip, who was arrested for allegedly receiving US$660,000 in a bribe from businesswoman Artalita Suryani.
Kemas and Salim were questioned as witnesses as KPK investigators sought a link between the alleged bribery and business tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim.
Artalita is believed to have handled the money at Sjamsul's house in South Jakarta.
"I hope my presence here can help clear up some issues," Kemas told reporters.
Urip led a team of AGO prosecutors investigating the alleged embezzlement of Bank Indonesia liquidity support (BLBI) funds involving Sjamsul, former Bank Dagang Negara Indonesia owner and current boss of PT Gadjah Tunggal.
The AGO dropped investigations into Sjamsul and tycoon Anthony Salim, due to lack of evidence on Feb. 29, but two days later KPK arrested Urip.
Both Urip and Artalita have insisted the money was for Urip's gemstone business and had nothing to do with the BLBI case.
The AGO has come under public scrutiny since the arrest and several AGO officials have also been summoned to the KPK for questioning.
AGO deputy of internal affairs had previously questioned both Kemas and Salim.
While the questioning of Kemas and Salim was underway, hundreds of students and non-governmental organization activists rallied outside the KPK building, demanding the commission take over the investigation into the BLBI graft case.
Anis Fauzan, a coordinator for some of the student organizations, said the demonstrators were "fed up with the AGO's slow handling of the BLBI case".
"We feel that the KPK is the only trustworthy institution in this country capable of handling the BLBI case," Anis said.
"Besides, the AGO's reputation has been waning among the public.
"I don't think it's a secret anymore how bad it is.
"Especially now that the KPK had busted Urip red handed," he said.
Several other student representatives brought a rat in a cage called Corruptor for KPK chief Antasari Azhar.
"We're disappointed to hear that he didn't want it," one of the students said. (anw)
