T

he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has expanded its investigation into a bribery case at the Supreme Court in an attempt to uncover the mastermind behind the allegations.

The antigraft agency has slapped an overseas travel ban on Eddy Sindoro, an influential executive holding several positions at subsidiaries of the Lippo Group, a powerful business conglomerate operating in the country.

The latest move occurred just two weeks after the KPK banned Supreme Court secretary Nurhadi from traveling overseas in relation to the matter, which is centered on a case review filed at the court by Lippo subsidiary PT First Media against Malaysia-based pay-TV operator Astro.

The KPK found Rp 1.7 billion (US$128,203) in cash after raiding Nurhadi’s house and office at the Supreme Court, which it claimed was connected to the handling of the First Media plea and allegedly to other appeals filed by Lippo subsidiaries at the court.

KPK spokesperson Yuyuk Andriati Iskak confirmed on Monday that the travel ban for Eddy was issued after the commission found indications of his involvement in the bribery case.

“It is suspected that he played a role in the case, which is why he is banned from traveling overseas. We’ll soon question him in the case,” she said.

The case began when the KPK arrested Central Jakarta District Court registrar Edy Nasution on April 22 as he accepted a bribe from businessman Doddy Aryanto, who is said to work for developer PT Paramount Enterprise International.

The company is reportedly a Lippo Group subsidiary for which Eddy served as a chairman, with regard to the First Media appeal at the Supreme Court.

The Central Jakarta District Court has held a hearing on the First Media appeal and has sent its conclusions to the Supreme Court, which will issue a final ruling.

In addition, Eddy reportedly holds several posts in the Lippo Group, including as president commissioner of PT Lippo Land Development since 2004 and as president director PT Siloam Health Care since 2001.

His former positions are as president commissioner of Lippo Cikarang from 2000 to 2009, president commissioner of Lippo Karawaci between 2000 and 2004, president director of Lippo Bank from 1998 to 1999, president director of PT Lippo Land Development from 1996 to 1998 and managing director of Lippo Bank between 1989 and 1991.

In a related case, the KPK said it was considering charging Nurhadi with obstructing justice in addition to its earlier plan to net him on corruption charges. Nurhadi remains a witness despite having been questioned by the KPK in the case.

The KPK put the obstruction of justice charges on the table after its investigators found that Nurhadi allegedly tried to eliminate evidence during a KPK raid at his house on April 22, to challenge the investigation into his role in the bribery case.

The arrival of KPK investigators at Nurhadi’s house just hours after arresting Edy caused Nurhadi and his family to panic, tearing up court documents that KPK investigators were searching for.

Several important court documents required by the KPK to develop its case were ripped up and flushed down a toilet at the house.

Separately, Central Jakarta District Court spokesman Jamaluddin Samosir said a panel of judges at the court had finished hearing the First Media plea and had sent its findings to the Supreme Court, which will appoint a panel to make a final decision on the appeal.

“The document for the plea was sent to the Supreme Court in January, long before the [KPK] case started. Until today the Supreme Court has yet to make any ruling on it. What I can confirm is that the plea is related to the case involving Astro and First Media. I am not aware of any other cases that might be related to the [KPK investigation],” Jamaluddin said.

Supreme Court spokesman Suhadi declined to comment on the ongoing investigation at the KPK, saying Nurhadi had met with Supreme Court chief Hatta Ali to explain his links to the case after the KPK raided his house and office last week.

“[The case] has nothing to do with institutions but is more to do with personal responsibility,” Suhadi said.