KPK to question PKS lawmaker over bribery scandal

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 04/16/2009 10:10 AM  |  National

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will question Rama Pratama, a lawmaker from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), over alleged involvement in a bribery scandal related to a ministerial project later on Thursday

The antigraft body spokesman Johan Budi told reporters that Rama would be questioned as a witness for former legislator Abdul Hadi Djamal from the National Mandate Party (PAN), who has been named a suspect in the case.

Abdul claims that Rama was one of several lawmakers that had attended a meeting between government and committee members to discuss a fiscal stimulus package at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jakarta in February.

Abdul has testified that the meeting was designed to increase budget funding for certain government offices, including the Transportation Ministry.

Abdul was caught red-handed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in February receiving an alleged bribe of US$90,000 (Rp 985 million) and Rp 54 million from Transportation Ministry official Darmawati Dareho, who has also been declared a suspect and detained.

The money was allegedly provided by businessman Hontjo Kurniawan, another suspect in the case, to ensure his company PT Kurnia Jaya Wirabhakti won a contract for the ministry's development project for piers and airport facilities in eastern Indonesia.

The project was part of a Rp 10.2 trillion fiscal stimulus package from the government, which was later increased to Rp 12.2 trillion following an agreement between the government and the budgetary committee at the House, of which both Abdul and Rama were members.

Rama has denied Abdul's statement and had said that his party would file a defamation suit against Abdul. (dre)

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