TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
KPK to probe everyone in Suryadharma's haj entourage
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said it would be questioning 35 individuals who had enjoyed a free haj to Saudi Arabia, together with former religious affairs minister Suryadharma Ali, including the wife of the Religious Affairs Ministryâs former director general for the haj and umrah (minor pilgrimage), Anggito Abimanyu
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
T
he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said it would be questioning 35 individuals who had enjoyed a free haj to Saudi Arabia, together with former religious affairs minister Suryadharma Ali, including the wife of the Religious Affairs Ministry's former director general for the haj and umrah (minor pilgrimage), Anggito Abimanyu.
'We will soon be questioning all the members of the entourage as part of our investigation into the alleged irregularities in the 2012-2013 haj program,' KPK chairman Abraham Samad told The Jakarta Post on Sunday, referring to the graft case that has ensnared Suryadharma.
According to the KPK, the 35 people allegedly comprise Suryadharma's relatives, colleagues and lawmakers at the House of Representatives whose names were falsely registered as Indonesian Haj Organizing Committee (PPIH) representatives, to join him on the haj using state budget funds.
Abraham did not provide details about the schedule for questioning members of the entourage.
One PPIH member stationed at the King Abul Aziz International Airport in Jaddah, Saudi Arabia, was quoted as saying by tempo.co that Anggito's wife, Arma Abimanyu, had been part of Suryadharma's entourage for the haj.
'Pak Anggito's wife was registered as a haj committee member,' said the PPIH member, who wished to remain anonymous.
The PPIH member, who handles pilgrims' luggage at the airport, said he was introduced to Arma at the airport and his job was to make sure that her name was listed on the ministerial entourage.
After being questioned by the KPK on March 19, Anggito denied the allegation that his wife was one of the entourage members. 'My wife never joined any entourage.'
Earlier on Wednesday, KPK deputy chairman Adnan Pandu Praja said that given his authority as the ministry's haj and umrah director general, Anggito should also be held accountable for the alleged irregularities during the 2012-2013
program.
'It is clear that there were violations [allegedly committed by Anggito], which will make him [the next] suspect in the case. It is just a matter time. The point is, Suryadharma is not the only suspect in the case,' Adnan said at KPK headquarters on Wednesday.
Adnan's remarks came after the KPK seized a laptop and a cell phone from Anggito's office during a 27-hour raid by the antigraft body last week.
Religious Affairs Ministry inspector general M. Jasin said the irregularities being investigated took place after Anggito had assumed leadership of the directorate.
When asked if the departures of 'Suryadharma's associates' would have required Anggito's approval, Jasin said that all PPIH members had to meet the requirements set by Anggito's office, implying that the falsifying of their identities as PPHI representatives had to have been carried out with Anggito's knowledge.
'It is not within my authority to say whether he [Anggito] had any knowledge of this. That authority lies with the KPK,' Jasin said.
Just two days after Adnan's remarks, Anggito tendered his resignation on Friday to Coordinating People's Welfare Minister Agung Laksono, who is now serving as interim minister, although he remains a witness in the case.
