Businessman gives bribes three times to Abdul : Lawyer

Suspect and businessman Hontjo Kurniawan has given bribes of Rp 3 billion (US$ 250,000) to lawmaker Abdul Hadi Djamal three times thus he could win a project to build pier and airport in the eastern part of Indonesia, a lawyer said Tuesday.

Upon his client's departure from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)'s building, Erman Umar said that his client had always given the money through Darmawati, an official from the Transportation Ministry's Marine Transportation Directorate, who was also the suspect on the same case.

“Besides, my client wanted to give the money to help legislators financing their campaigns during general election,” he said as quoted by kompas.com.

Umar refused to comment any speculations whether or not the money had been channelled to other lawmakers.

Last week, the KPK had arrested Abdul and Darmawati, in Jakarta after the legislator was caught red-handed receiving an alleged bribe of US$90,000  (around Rp 1 billion) and Rp 54 million ($5,000) from the latter. The KPK has suspected the money was from Hontjo. (ewd)