Miranda officially suspect in Bank Indonesia vote-buying case

Sweet gratitude: In this Oct. 29, 2009, Miranda Swaray Goeltom, a former Bank Indonesia senior deputy governor, smiles for the cameras as she leaves the Corruption Eradication Commission(KPK) headquarters in Jakarta. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named former Bank Indonesia senior deputy governor Miranda Swaray Goeltom a suspect in a vote buying case centering on her 2004 selection.

“After investigating further the case, we decided to name MSG a suspect in the case,” KPK chief Abraham Samad told journalists on Thursday at the KPK headquarters.

But he did not disclose when the letter naming Miranda a suspect was signed.

He said Miranda faced a maximum five-year prison term and a Rp 250 million (US$28,250) fine for bribery or a maximum of three years in prison and a Rp 150 million fine for paying illegal commissions.

The case has implicated a number of former and existing lawmakers, as well as Nunun Nurbaeti, the wife of Prosperous Justice Party lawmaker and former National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. (ret.) Adang Daradjatun.

Nunun, who was arrested last month in Bangkok, Thailand, has been named a suspect for allegedly helping distribute 480 traveler’s checks, worth Rp 24 billion in total, to at least 33 former and existing House of Representatives members overseeing finance affairs to help Miranda attain her position. (mtq)