IN THE DARK: Former deputy attorney general for special crimes Kemas Yahya Rahman attends the Corruption Court trial session as a witness in a bribery case involving businesswoman Artalyta Suryani in Jakarta on Wednesday. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)
Former deputy attorney general for special crimes Kemas Yahya Rahman insisted he did not have a close relationship with businesswoman Artalyta Suryani during her bribery trial in Jakarta on Wednesday.
In the hearing, Judge Andi Bachtiar questioned Kemas on his phone call to Artalyta on March 1, 2008, the day after the Attorney General's Office (AGO) announced it was halting an investigation into tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim.
"I was only informing her because she had asked me about the AGO investigation into Sjamsul," Kemas told the court about the call, which was monitored by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Kemas said he had known Artalyta since 2003 and had met her twice at his office during the investigation.
He said that she had come to ask about the investigation into Sjamsul and Djoko Chandra, who are both former bank directors and were allegedly involved in the embezzlement of Bank Indonesia liquidity assistance funds (BLBI).
Artalyta was believed to have a close relationship with Sjamsul's family. She is charged with bribing state prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan, who led the case investigation team, with US$660,000 and Rp 100 million (US$10,810).
Sjamsul, the former director of Bank Dagang Nasional Indonesia, was allegedly involved in the embezzlement of Rp 28.4 trillion in BLBI funds.
In the recorded conversation, Kemas asked Artalyta if she had heard the AGO's announcement and his statement about the case.
"It's good, very good," Artalyta says.
"So my job's done. It is all clear, obvious; there's no more problem," Kemas replies.
"About the matter of Joker... I need to explain it," Artalyta says.
"Oh, no. Later, later. I've discussed it. Because it's all been announced now, there's a plan for it. Just stay calm," Kemas says.
When questioned by Judge Bachtiar what "plan" he was referring to, Kemas said that he was only talking nonsense because he wanted to end the conversation.
The judge also asked Kemas about another March 1 monitored call between Artalyta and an unknown woman, three hours before he called Artalyta.
In the conversation, Artalyta is asking the woman about a "shortage for the subordinates, JAMs, Ses-JAMs and Udji". JAM is the AGO's abbreviation for Jaksa Agung Muda (deputy attorney general).
Judge Bachtiar asked whether the money Artalyta gave to Urip was intended for the deputies. Kemas claimed he knew nothing about that.
Presiding judge Mansyurdin Chaniago adjourned the trial until next Monday when the court is scheduled to question the defendant.
Separately, Attorney General Hendarman Supandji told lawmakers of the House of Representatives' Commission III on legal affairs that he would wait for the court's verdict before deciding whether Kemas would be fired.
He said that the AGO has already given an administrative reprimand to Kemas by removing him from his position. (dre)
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