PDI-P chairman denies knowledge of alleged bribes to lawmakers

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairman at the House of Representatives, Tjahjo Kumolo, says that he had no idea whatsoever about any disbursement of traveler's checks in 2004 following the appointment of Miranda Goeltom as the Bank Indonesia senior deputy governor.

"As a chairman, I always give direction to the party on any decision at the House of Representatives. I have no idea about the issue of the traveler's check disbursement. Let the court settle this," he told reporters in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Nineteen PDI-P former legislators were named by the Corruption Court on Monday as individuals who had received kickbacks in the form of traveler's checks following the party's decision to appoint Miranda for Bank Indonesia’s second-highest post.

Prosecutors reading the indictment of former PDI-P lawmaker Dudhie Makmun Murod, the first suspect to be tried in the bribery case at the Corruption Court, said the politicians received Rp 9.8 billion (US$1.1 million) from a third party to back the election of Miranda.

Top-brass PDI-P politicians such as Panda Nababan, Izedrik Emir Moeis, and Agus Condro Prayitno were among those cited by the prosecutors. Panda collected the most, with Rp 1.45 billion, for his role as coordinator.

The disclosure is a blow to the party, which has called for an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the government’s decision to bail out Bank Century in 2008.

The latest legal trouble facing PDI-P politicians is seen by many as political pressure from the ruling party on political parties blaming Vice President Boediono and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati in the bailout case.