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No arrest planned for Suryadharma, says KPK
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) says it does not yet plan to arrest Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, who has been named a suspect in an alleged corruption case related to haj management projects at the ministry during 2012-2013
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he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) says it does not yet plan to arrest Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, who has been named a suspect in an alleged corruption case related to haj management projects at the ministry during 2012-2013.
The commission will first complete the suspect's case dossier by questioning a number of witnesses.
'We usually first complete the investigation of witnesses [before making an arrest],' KPK deputy chairman Busyro Muqoddas said in Jakarta on Sunday as quoted by tribunnews.com.
However, Busyro said, the KPK had sent a travel ban request for Suryadharma to the Law and Human Rights Ministry's immigration directorate general so that the minister could not go abroad within the next six months. 'We have prevented him from leaving the country,' said Busyro.
On Thursday, the KPK named Suryadharma, who is also United Development Party (PPP) chairman, as a suspect for allegedly abusing his authority in the 2012-2013 haj management projects that caused losses to the state.
Busyro said the KPK was carrying out follow-up investigations in the case and would pursue other parties who might be involved in the graft case.
'Other colleagues might be involved in the case, which will be revealed during the questioning of the suspect,' he said.
Busyro said it was suspected the graft case involved not only officials from the Religious Affairs Ministry but also people from other institutions such as the House of Representatives and Suryadharma's family and colleagues.
It was said the KPK had given an early warning to the Religious Affairs Ministry on the country's poor haj management long before it named Suryadharma a suspect.
The ministry was also informed of its poor overall performance reported in an integrity survey conducted by the KPK.
Busyro further said the KPK had suggested the ministry hold a haj moratorium until there were improvements. 'It was not responded to by the ministry, however,' he said. (fss/ebf)
