T

he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has questioned high-profile witnesses in its effort to find key evidence in the case surrounding the multibillion rupiah Hambalang sports complex swindle.

Witnesses included former youth and sports minister Adhyaksa Dault, former head of the National Land Agency (BPN) Joyo Winoto and secretary of the agency Managam Manurung.

Adhyaksa, who was questioned on Tuesday, maintains that the Hambalang center was originally planned as a modest project worth Rp 125 billion (US$12.97 million).

When Andi took over, the budget increased to Rp 1.17 trillion.

Adhyaksa also said that from the start the project had problems with land acquisition.

“During my tenure, I did not allow the project to start construction because the ministry had not acquired the land-use certificate [HGU],” he told reporters on Tuesday.

He said at that time, 32 hectares of land for the project was controlled by Probosutejo, the half-brother of late president Soeharto.

Probosutejo’s tenure over the land had expired and needed to be renewed.

The KPK summoned Probosutejo for questioning earlier this week, but, surprisingly, the businessman didn’t show up, citing health problems.

Adhyaksa said that the ministry could not start construction before it had the HGU.

The House of Representative had also laid down conditions that the ministry would not get any money until land acquisition was complete.

Another star witness testifying on Tuesday was Joyo, who was questioned for seven hours but had nothing to say when the session wrapped up.

Joyo was fired as head of the BPN in June and replaced by former attorney general Hendarman Supandji.

Joyo’s secretary, Managam, was questioned on Monday.

Managam said he was ordered by Democratic Party lawmaker Ignatius Mulyono to expedite the HGU.

“Pak Ignatius has called me once,” Managam said.

Ignatius is a member of House Commission II responsible for the BPN.

Ignatius claims he received his orders to secure the HGU from Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum.

Anas denies the allegation.

Aside from Managam, KPK investigators have questioned three other BPN officials; Binsar Simbolon, Bambang Eko and Suharna.

KPK deputy chairman Zulkarnain declined to comment whether the investigators are now zeroing in on the land certificate.

“We always see a case as a whole. Of course we need to understand the processes involved because before one can construct a building you need to get the permit first,” he said on Tuesday.

Zulkarnain also denied speculation that lawmakers had meddled with the certificate.

“It is the investigators’ responsibility to discover if there are more individuals involved in the case. We will get a more complete picture as we gather more evidence,” he said.