The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday refreshed its years-long investigation into bribery at the Constitutional Court (MK) by slapping charges on Empat Lawang Regent Budi Anthoni Aljufri, the seventh regional head prosecuted in the case, and his wife Suzana
he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday refreshed its years-long investigation into bribery at the Constitutional Court (MK) by slapping charges on Empat Lawang Regent Budi Anthoni Aljufri, the seventh regional head prosecuted in the case, and his wife Suzana.
In addition, the antigraft body also slapped perjury charges on the couple, whom the KPK accused of bribing former MK chief justice Akil Mochtar, sentenced to life in prison in the case, after KPK prosecutors found that they gave false testimonies during Akil's trial in 2014.
'We have found two strong pieces of evidence to make them suspects in the case. Money was given to influence [Akil's] decision in the handling of an election dispute at the MK,' acting KPK deputy chairman Johan Budi told a press briefing on Thursday.
According to Akil's indictment, incumbent regent candidate Budi and running mate Syahril Hanafiah of Empat Lawang regency in South Sumatra made cash payments to Akil of Rp 10 billion (US$750,000), and another $500,000 through middleman Muhtar Efendy, to overturn the Empat Lawang General Elections Commission's decision to name Joncik Muhammad and his running mate Ali Halimi the victors in the election.
In its ruling, MK later declared Budi the legitimate Empat Lawang regent, thanks to bribe money that was channeled by Suzana to Muhtar, who was earlier sentenced in the case.
If found guilty of lying under oath, Budi and his wife could be sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in prison as regulated under Article 22 of the 2001 Corruption Law. The couple face an additional 15 years behind bars if convicted of the corruption charges, as stipulated in Article 6 of the same law.
Johan emphasized that KPK investigators were currently working to confirm evidence of the involvement of remaining regional heads: South Lampung Regent Rycko Menoza, Buton Regent Syamsu Umar Abdul Samiun as well as Golkar Party East Java branch head Zainuddin Amali, who promised to bribe Akil on behalf of East Java Governor Sukarwo.
Akil's indictment confirms Zainuddin's role in the case: 'East Java gubernatorial [candidates] intended to pay him Rp 10 billion, but the promise did not materialize because [Akil] was arrested [by the KPK],' referring to incumbent candidate pair Soekarwo-Saifullah Yusuf.
'We will not stop on SBA in the case,' Johan said, referring to Budi by his initials.
Those who have been prosecuted in the case are former Banten governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah, former deputy regent Amir Hamzah, former Palembang mayor Romi Herton, who was netted along with his wife Masyito in the case, Morotai Island Regent Rusli Sibua, former Central Tapanuli regent Bonaran Situmeang and former Gunung Mas regent Hambit Bintih.
In addition to Budi and his wife, three other couples have been prosecuted in separate KPK graft investigations. They are Romi and Masyito, former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin and his wife Neneng Sri Wahyuni and former Karawang regent Ade Swara and his wife Nurlatifah.
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