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Patrialis' arrest nothing to do with religion, party: Ex-chief justice
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Constitutional Court justice and bribery suspect Patrialis Akbar sits in a car after undergoing questioning by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) early Jan. 27 morning. Patrialis, Kamaludin and businesspeople Basuki Hariman and Ng Fenny have been detained for their alleged roles in bribery. (The Jakarta Post/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) did not take into consideration religious background or political party affiliation when arresting Constitutional Court justice Patrialis Akbar, former chief justice Mahfud MD has said.
"The arrest of Pak Patrialis is in accordance with the law. Do not associate it with [issues of] religion, gubernatorial election or anything else. There are clear requirements when conducting a sting operation. If the requirements aren’t met, the KPK won't do it," Mahfud said on Monday at KPK headquarters.
Mahfud lamented growing speculation that the arrest was politically motivated.
"If we look from a case-by-case basis, members from all parties have been arrested, not only Patrialis. There is Damayanti from the PDI-P (Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle), Rio Capella of the NasDem Party and someone from Golkar in West Java," he said, adding that the public could observe the legal process at court to judge the case to get a fair perspective.
(Read also: KPK names MK justice Patrialis Akbar suspect in bribery case)
Patrialis is a former member of the National Mandate Party (PAN), which has endorsed Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and running mate Sylviana Murni in the Jakarta gubernatorial election.
Patrialis, along with 10 other people, was apprehended on Wednesday for alleged bribery in connection with a judicial review of Law No. 41/2014 on animal husbandry and health, which he was handling. (jun)
