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.
Bribe money for senator seems oddly little: Lawyer
Change Size
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Sept. 17 arrests Regional Representatives Council (DPD) chief Irman Gusman (center), a suspect in a bribery case related to sugar imports. (Antara/Yudhi Mahatma)
T
he lawyer of Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Speaker Irman Gusman, a newly named suspect in a bribery case, said that the case was odd as the amount of money given to his client was so small.
Irman, who was named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Saturday, is accused of having been given Rp 100 million (US$7,589) to supposedly help two other suspects, identified only by the initials XSS, a director of CV Semesta Berjaya and his wife, identified only by the initials MMI, to recommendation to the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) that it give them a quota to import sugar.
According to Irman’s official wealth report (LHKPN), his total wealth was Rp 31.9 billion plus US$40,995 as of Dec. 3, 2014.
“All I know is that he was given a package [by XSS and MMI], but his family said he did not know the contents,” his lawyer Tommy Singh said, adding that Irman just knew that there was money in it after KPK investigators opened the package when the other suspects left Irman’s home.
Hence, Singh said he presumed that it did not make sense for Irman to be bribed with such a small amount of money. However, he said he has not considered filing a pretrial motion and emphasized that he appreciated the KPK’s efforts, but everything should be done professionally. (wnd)
