“Sjahril is named a suspect over bribery and corruption linked to the case involving [tax official] Gayus Tambunan,” National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Edward Aritonang told a press conference.

Sjahril — a former expert staffer for intelligence and foreign relations during attorney general Marzuki Darusman’s tenure — has been accused of violating the antigraft law.

Edward said Sjahril’s arrest was made after the police gathered enough evidence on his role in the case. “We still need to question more people and cross-check some information that we’ve gained from previous questioning.”

Wednesday’s questioning was monitored by Judicial Mafia Taskforce chief Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, secretary Denny Indrayana and member Mas Achmad Santosa.

Denny said the police have tried to show seriousness in handling the case by naming Sjahril a suspect.
“I expect we will see more results by the end of this investigation,” he said.

Sjahril’s lawyer Hotma Sitompul said his client had been confronted with Haposan Hutagalung, Gayus’ lawyer who was also a suspect.

National Police deputy spokesman Sr. Comr. Zaenuri Lubis said Sjahril revealed under questioning that he had promised a huge amount of funds to former National Police chief detective Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji regarding the investigation of Gayus, a tax official who had been acquitted in an earlier trial of any wrongdoing despite amassing Rp 28 billion (US$3.08 million).

Susno reported to the taskforce last month on Gayus’ acquittal despite the finding of suspicious amount of funds in the latter’s bank account. He also mentioned Sjahril’s alleged role in the case during a hearing with the House of Representatives’ Commission III on legal, human rights and security affairs, where Susno referred to Sjahril as “Mr. X” and then “SJ”.

Police observer Alfons Loemau, however, saw that Susno’s whistle blowing could backfire.

He revealed that Gayus — who has been named a suspect in graft, money laundry and embezzlement cases — was released last year during Susno’s term in the National Police criminal investigation division, which handled the case.

“Why didn’t he arrest Gayus then? What did he do in his office room? It was only several meters away; how didn’t he know that Gayus Tambunan was not detained?” Alfons said.

The Finance Ministry restored the employee status of Bahasyim Assifie, a money laundering and graft suspect, as its official after he was previously assigned to the National Development Planning Agency.

The ministry will investigate Bahasyim in relation to the Rp 64 billion funds found in his bank account, the ministry’s Inspector General Hekinus Manao said.

Bahasyim may be temporarily laid off during the investigation.

Deputy Attorney General for special crimes Marwan Effendy said the Attorney General’s Office would supervise the case, currently being probed by Jakarta Prosecutors’ Office.

Aditya Suharmoko contributed to the report

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