“We questioned three lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Struggle [PDI-P] — Rusman Lumbantoruan, William Tutuarima and Sutanto Pranoto —  about possible connections they may have had with corrupt behavior that occurred prior to the selection of BI senior deputy governor,” KPK spokesman Johan Budi said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

It is expected the three politicians will verify statements made by a number of other politicians, including Hamka Yandhu from the Golkar party, Endin J. Soefihara from the United Development Party (PPP), Dudhie Makmun Murod from the PDI Perjuangan and Udju Juhaeri from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

They have all been accused of accepting bribes in exchange for voting for Miranda prior to the 2004 selection process.

The scandal erupted after a former politician from the PDI-P, Tjondro Prayitno, testified before the Corruption Court and the KPK that he received Rp 500 million (US$50,000) in traveler’s cheques from Dudhie shortly after the House approved Miranda’s nomination for the position in June 2004.

Miranda was elected by a count of 41-13, with almost all legislators from the PDI-P backing her along with 15 Golkar legislators and several from other parties.

Agus claimed that prior to the election, PDI-P faction members were brought together and instructed to vote for Miranda. They were promised between Rp 300 million and Rp 500 million in return for their votes.

The Financial Transaction Report Analysis Center (PPATK) have identified 400 traveller’s cheques linked to legislators that support Agus’ statement.

Ten politicians personally cashed in the cheques not long after the election, while others allegedly used proxies, such as relatives.

Chairman of the PDI-P, Tjahjo Kumolo, has several times denied instructing his colleagues to take the bribes and vote for Miranda.

Johan said the commission was still directing its investigations at the recipients of the cheques, especially the four key suspects.

The evidence so far suggests they have violated articles 5 and 11 of the 2001 law on gratuities and article 12 on bribery.

“We will unravel this plot through the advice and evidence we have gathered and eventually track down the providers [of the cheques],” he said.

“Just wait and be patient. We are developing our investigation into this case,” he said.

On Monday, the commission also interrogated the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives, Nining Indra Saleh, about the ethical examination surrounding Miranda’s appointment.

This is the second corruption scandal to implicate legislators and embroil the central bank in scandal. In 2003, two former politicians were jailed for accepting bribes taken from the bank’s development fund.

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