R

eligious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali has expressed concern over Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chair Abraham Samad's recent remark that the antigraft body would soon name 'a high ranking official' from the ministry as a suspect in its probe into the haj pilgrimage program.

Suryadharma said that Samad's remark could be taken as a reference to himself.

'To be honest, I feel anxious [after hearing the statement]. But, anyway, just wait for the KPK because we don't know how the investigation has progressed,' Suryadharma said on the sidelines of the United Development Party's (PPP) national meeting over the weekend.

Suryadharma, who claims to have no knowledge of alleged irregularities in the procurement tender, further said that he would not speculate about the suspect.

'Don't jump to conclusions and don't guess based just on that statement,' he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Samad, who used the word 'elite' to describe the soon-to-be-named individual, declined to confirm if Suryadharma, who is also chair of the PPP, was the suspect in question.

'I think you can come to your own conclusions. The clue is that the suspect is the most competent figure in the haj program,' Abraham said.

Earlier in January, the KPK announced that it would focus its investigation on the procurement of goods and services in the haj pilgrimage program during 2012-2013.

KPK deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto said the antigraft body had also investigated the management of the haj pilgrimage fund during the same period and its alleged distribution to individuals who had not meet the criteria for recipients.

Suryadharma denied allegations that the ministry had assigned funds to people related to ministry officials.

The KPK uncovered a number of alleged irregularities in the haj program such as substandard accommodation for pilgrims and the procurement of catering,
which was allegedly rigged by a number of House of Representatives lawmakers overseeing religion.

KPK spokesman Johan Budi said that the antigraft body had questioned lawmakers in relation to the allegations.

'We have questioned two lawmakers ' Hasrul Azwar and Jazuli Juwaini ' to gather supporting information,' Johan said, referring respectively to the two current and former members of the House Commission VIII overseeing religion.

Hasrul is a PPP politician and Jazuli is a Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician.

Meanwhile, Suryadharma was called in for questioning on May 6.

Another KPK deputy chairman Busyro Muqoddas said that the KPK had grilled Suryadharma to confirm the KPK's findings after investigators had returned from collecting evidence in Saudi Arabia.