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Lawmakers quizzed over bribery
Thu, 10/09/2008 10:27 AM | National
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday grilled Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) legislator Tamsil Linrung as it stepped up investigations into alleged bribery in the conversion of a protected forest in South Sumatra.
Tamsil said he was questioned about the mechanism of budget deliberations at the House of Representatives and his knowledge of businessman Chandra Antonio Tan, a fugitive in the case.
Chandra is accused of bribing several members of the House's Commission IV on forestry to win a contract to convert the Tanjung Pantai Air Telang forest in Banyuasin into Tanjung Api-Api Port.
"I don't know and have never met (Chandra)," Tamsil was quoted as saying by Antara.
He admitted to receiving money from the Commission IV secretariat, but said he did not remember the amount.
"I have submitted the money to the KPK," he said.
On Tuesday, the KPK questioned Commission IV members Mindo Sianipar and Sujud Sirajudin in connection with the same case.
Commission member Sarjan Tahir of the Democratic Party and dismissed United Development Party (PPP) legislator Al Amin Nur Nasution are standing trial in the case, in which National Awakening Party (PKB) legislator Yusuf E. Faishal is also implicated.
In an earlier hearing at the Corruption Court, it was found that money had been transferred to several Commission IV members deliberating the forest conversion request.
Also uncovered was a meeting between South Sumatra administration officials and three Commission IV members -- Al Amin, Sarjan and Azwar Chesputra -- concerning the conversion plan, at a hotel in Central Jakarta in October 2006.
Also present were Chandra and then South Sumatra provincial secretary Sofyan Rebuin, who was in charge of the Tanjung Api-Api port's development.
At the meeting, Chandra gave Azwar an envelope containing a traveler's check issued by Bank Mandiri, KPK prosecutors told the court. But Azwar rejected it because the check was worth less than Rp 2.5 billion.
The morning after, Chandra came to Sarjan's office at the House and gave him a traveler's check valued at the amount demanded. Sarjan then gave the check to Azwar, who distributed the money to several Commission IV members, including Rp 75 million for Al Amin. -- JP
