T

he brouhaha surrounding legislator and graft suspect Muhammad Nazaruddin took a new twist Monday after media reports claimed the fugitive politician allegedly bribed a police general to take over a graft case at the anticorruption body.

The implicated officer, outgoing National Police chief detective Comr. Gen. Ito Sumardi, dismissed the allegations, saying it was “impossible” that he would accept US$50,000 to take over a corruption case linked to a government procurement project from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

“This allegation is a slur on my character. On my last day on duty, I only wanted to serve. I don’t want to be linked to case brokers,” Ito said Monday, adding that the police could not handle cases under KPK investigation.

“The law states that the KPK, however, is allowed to take over cases from the police or Attorney General’s Office,” he said.

In its July 4 edition, Tempo weekly newsmagazine ran a cover story on allegations that Nazaruddin, the former treasurer of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party, funneled money to several high-ranking police officers, including Ito, who last week retired as chief detective.

Tempo reported that the information on the alleged bribery was based on documents seized by the KPK from the office of a company owned by Nazaruddin at Permai Tower in South Jakarta in April.

The documents, which were held by Nazaruddin’s confidante, Yulianis, indicated that Ito and the chief of the National Police anticorruption directorate, Sr. Comr. Jacobs Alexander Timisela, accepted $50,000 and $30,000, respectively.

The newsmagazine reported that the KPK also found two receipts for payments of $75,000 and $25,000 to the National Police detective unit.

Ito admitted that he knew Nazaruddin, but said he lost contact with him a year ago. “[The allegation] defames myself and also the new chief detective. I have reported this to the National Police chief,” Ito said, adding that he was prepared for an internal affairs investigation and audit by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK).

The KPK said it had not received any information surrounding the allegations, KPK spokesman Johan Budi said Monday. “I also have no information about KPK investigators finding receipts under the name of Ito.”

Yudhoyono earlier ordered National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo to arrest Nazaruddin, who fled to Singapore, to show his commitment to fighting graft. The corruption scandals surrounding Nazaruddin have dragged the Democratic Party into its worst crisis.

The party insists it remained united despite the political storm it faces. However, it seems likely that some members may defect.

Party member Ahmad Fauzi announced Monday that he would leave the Democratic Party and join the National Democrat. He died of a heart attack following the announcement. (rcf)