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span class="inline inline-left">Suswono. JP/Jerry Adiguna The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician and Agriculture Minister Suswono on Monday on his possible role in the high-profile bribery case centering on the government-run beef importation program.

Suswono has been linked to the bribery case because of his conversation with former PKS chairman Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq which took place before the latter was arrested by the KPK for allegedly accepting a Rp 1 billion (US$103,000) bribe from meat importing company PT Indoguna Utama.

Speaking after his interrogation, Suswono confirmed that he did have a conversation with Luthfi in Medan concerning the meat importation quota.

“Yes, it happened,” he said when asked about the meeting. Suswono, however, maintained his innocence, saying that he had nothing to do with the bribery scandal.

The minister was dragged into the case when Luthfi’s lawyers said their client held a meeting with him at the Arya Duta Hotel in Medan, North Sumatra, from Jan. 10 to 11 to discuss soaring meat prices.

The 15-minute meeting was also attended by people implicated in the case, including Indoguna president director Maria Elizabeth Liman, former chairwoman of the Indonesian Seedling Association (Asbenindo) Elda Devianne Adiningrat and Luthfi’s aide, Ahmad Fathanah.

“They reported to the minister on the soaring meat prices that had led to the spread of rat meat and pork in the market,” Mohammad Assegaf, one of Luthfi’s lawyers, told reporters. Assegaf said that Elizabeth was the initiator of the meeting while Elda played a passive role in the meeting.

Earlier, Suswono had also faced questioning from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono regarding the bribery allegation.

Suswono said he had clarified to Yudhoyono that the meat importation program had been carried out properly.

Besides Suswono, the KPK was also scheduled on Monday to question a number of key witnesses in the bribery scandal, including Maria and Elda.

Neither witness showed up for questioning.

Elda’s lawyer John Pieter Nazar, said that his client was present at the meeting only to give her insights into meat importation. Nazar denied allegations that Elda was involved in the meat importing business, saying that she had joined the meeting because she was concerned about soaring meat prices.

The KPK has asked the Immigration Office to issue travel bans for both Elizabeth and Elda.

Earlier this month, the antigraft body imposed a travel ban on Ridwan Hakim, the son of PKS chief patron Hilmi Aminuddin.

One day before the Immigration Office issued the travel ban, Ridwan flew to Turkey, fueling speculation that he fled the country to avoid KPK questioning.

KPK spokesman Johan Budi said that investigators would summon Ridwan again next week.

“If he does not respond to the second summons, then we will bring him by force on the third summons,” he told a press conference at the KPK’s headquarters.

Ridwan’s father, Hilmi, is chairman of the PKS’ Consultative Council (Majelis Syuro). Hilmi determines the party’s stance on certain issues and has the authority to select party officials and evaluate their performances. He selects the PKS candidates for strategic positions such as ministers, state company executives, legislators, councilors and local administration leaders.

The KPK has yet to give details about the involvement of Ridwan in the beef importation scandal.

Besides Luthfi, the KPK has also named two Indoguna executives, Juard Effendi and Arya Abdi Effendi, suspects for attempting to bribe Luthfi to secure a slot in the beef procurement program.

Responding to the questioning of Suswono, PKS senior politician Refrizal called on the KPK to treat Suswono, and other PKS members implicated in the case with respect.

“KPK, please don’t be too overzealous,” Refrizal said. “I hope that the KPK can work professionally.”