Governor refuses KPK questioning, cites health reasons

Riau Islands Governor Ismeth Abdullah, a graft suspect in the procurement of fire engines for the Batam Island authorities, cited health reasons as he refused to be questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Tuesday.

Ismeth arrived at the KPK’s office in South Jakarta at around 10:50 a.m. on Tuesday for questioning but left around one and a half hours later. His lawyer, Tumpal Halomoan Hutabarat, said Ismeth suffered from high blood pressure and had not been able to be questioned.

“He requested the interview be postponed until Monday [next week],” he added.

Ismeth immediately left the building and got into a police car. He was sent back to Cipinang detention center in East Jakarta where he had been held since Monday for his alleged role in the markup of the Batam authorities’ purchase of a fire engine and a ladder truck, which is believed to have caused Rp 5.4 billion (US$580,00) in state losses. The purchase was made between 2004 and 2005, when Ismeth was the administrator of Batam Island authority.

Ismeth denies the allegation. “I don’t think there was [a mark up],” he said earlier.

Ismeth, who was to run for re-election as the governor of the Riau Islands, had said previously that his being named a suspect in the case and the arrest were “political”.

Tumpal said Ismeth’s arrest had cost him his chance to register as a candidate for the Riau Island regional election.

“The registration is on Feb. 28 … At first he had planned to run as a candidate. But seeing that he has now been arrested, it is now impossible for him to do that,” he added.