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KPK zooms in on role of Jokowi’s brother-in-law in bribery case
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Presiden Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (left) and First Lady Iriana Widodo greet journalists after casting their ballots on Wednesday in Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will delve into the role of a businessman and family member of Jokowi in a bribery case implicating a tax official. (Antara/Rosa Panggabean)
T
he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will delve into the role of a businessman and family member of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in a bribery case implicating a tax official.
The indictment of businessman Ramapanicker Rajamohanan Nair, who was allegedly caught red-handed bribing middle-ranking tax official Handang Soekarno in November, has revealed the alleged role of Arif Budi Sulistyo as a middleman in the case.
Arif is married to Jokowi’s youngest sister, Titik Relawati, and is the operational director of PT Rakabu Sejahtera -- the flagship company of Jokowi’s extended family, including cousins and nephews.
KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said Arif was still a witness in the case as the KPK was still trying to delve deeper into his alleged role.
“We will look into the roles and positions of all witnesses, including their connections, communications and meetings with the defendant,” KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said on Wednesday.
Arif was questioned as a witness in mid-January by the KPK. However, the move raised criticism after the media was kept in the dark until a court hearing on Monday mentioned his name.
The bribery case centers on Nair, the director of EK Prima Exports Indonesia -- a local unit of Abu Dhabi-based Lulu Group -- who allegedly bribed Handang Rp 1.9 billion to help the company abolish Rp 78 billion (US$5.8 million) in tax dues.
According to the indictment, Arif sought the help of his friend, Jakarta Special Tax Office head Muhammad Haniv, to resolve the company’s tax problem.
Haniv then connected Arif with Handang and Director General of Taxation Ken Dwijugiasteadi.
According to the indictment, Ken instructed his staff to abolish the tax dues after the meeting.
Ken has been questioned as a witness in the case.
Jokowi’s spokesperson, Johan Budi, also a former KPK acting commissioner, did not reply to The Jakarta Post’s questions in relation to the case.
After the KPK arrested Handang and Nair on Nov. 22, the Cabinet Secretariat issued a circular on Nov. 29 ordering all ministers and heads of state agencies to ignore any demands or assistance fielded by the President’s family members.
Members of Jokowi’s family have been in the spotlight for the past year.
For example, the controversy surrounding the appointment of Arcandra Tahar, who had dual citizenship, to lead the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, had also implicated Jokowi’s younger cousin.
Criticism was also rife in 2015 when Jokowi’s other younger cousin, Sigit Widyawan, was appointed a member of the board of commissioners of state toll operator PT Jasa Marga despite his lack of experience in the field.
