Lawmaker admits accepting a bribe in seaport graft case

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 11/26/2008 11:00 PM  |  National

Lawmaker Faqih Khaironi testified Wednesday he had received Rp 10 million (US$830) allegedly linked to the recent bribery case involving lawmaker Sarjan Taher which made way for a forest preserve to be converted into a seaport in South Sumatra.

Faqih told a hearing at the Corruption Court he had received the money from Yusuf Erwin Faisal, chair of the House of Representatives' Commission IV which oversees forestry and fishery affairs. Yusuf is also a suspect in the case.

"I received the money just a few days after a commission committee visited the port. I didn't ask for any explanations about where the money came from," he said.

He, however, denied prosecutors' further accusation that Yusuf had also received another Rp 25 million.

Faqih testifed as a witness for defendant Sarjan Taher who has been named a suspect along with Yusuf and legislator Al-Amin Nasution in the case.

Sarjan, who is also a member of Commission IV, was detained for accepting a bribe from business owner Chandra Antonio Tan to speed the conversion permit issuance.

Evidence presented in earlier hearings has revealed that commission members received a total of Rp 2.5 billion from Chandra. (ewd)
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