KPK raids house, office of Bintan regional secretary

Fadli ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Tanjung Pinang, Jakarta   |  Tue, 04/15/2008 11:37 AM  |  Headlines

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) raided the home and office of Bintan regional secretary Azirwan in connection with a bribery case that also involves House of Representatives member Al Amin Nasution.

During the raid on Azirwan's office, four KPK investigators also questioned Bintan administration first assistant Yudha Inangsa, under the watchful eyes of the Tanjung Pinang Police.

KPK spokesman Johan Budi said in Jakarta on Monday the graft body would use the evidence gathered in Bintan to develop their investigation.

He said the body would summon anyone with a possible connection to the case, including Bintan Regent Ansar Ahmad.

"But we must have strong evidence to question him (Ansar) in the case," he told journalists.

The KPK arrested Amin for allegedly accepting Rp 4 million (US$434) in cash from Azirwan, who was also arrested, last Wednesday at a Jakarta hotel.

Investigators also confiscated Rp 67 million in cash from Amin. An additional S$33,000 (US$24,273) in cash was confiscated as well, but the body has not yet determined whether it is connected to the case.

Amin, a lawmaker from the Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP), is a member of the House's Commission IV overseeing agriculture, plantations, forestry and fisheries.

Authorities suspect the alleged bribe was in connection to the Bintan administration's request to the Forestry Ministry to convert around 200 hectares of a 7,300 hectare conservation forest into an office complex.

Amin and Azirwan were detained just hours after Commission IV held a meeting, which Amin attended and at which the Forestry Minister Malam Sambat Ka'ban approved the proposal.

Amin is being held at the Jakarta Police detention center in South Jakarta, while Azirwan is at the South Jakarta Police detention center.

Amin's lawyer Sirra Prayuna said Monday his client would sue the KPK over his arrest.

He claimed KPK investigators did not witness his client accepting the cash.

"We are now gathering evidence before filing a lawsuit," he said.

KPK spokesman Johan said the body followed standard procedures in arresting Amin, and had sufficient evidence to justify his detention.

"We have enough evidence to declare Amin a suspect in this case," he said.

Johan said Amin was within his rights to file a lawsuit and proclaim his innocence.

"But his excuses and the lawsuit will not influence the ongoing investigation," he said. (ewd)

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