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Jokowi backs graft probe into Cabinet members
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo gets out of a golf cart flanked by Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung at the State Palace in Jakarta on Nov. 3. (Antara/Puspa Perwitasari)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has responded to the explosive allegation that two of his Cabinet ministers took bribes in relation to the e-ID graft case, saying they should face legal proceedings if there is evidence pointing to their alleged involvement.
Jokowi made the statement following a claim made by graft defendant Setya Novanto that Puan Maharani and Pramono Anung, two senior officials of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), received money embezzled from the e-ID project.
"If there is legal evidence, legal fact, [they should] be legally processed and all [of them] should be brave to take responsibility," Jokowi told reporters on Friday, adding, "On condition that there are legal facts and strong evidence."
During a court hearing on Thursday, the former House of Representatives speaker claimed that Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung received US$500,000 each from the e-ID procurement project between 2009 and 2012, when they were House lawmakers.
The names of both Puan and Pramono did not appear on the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) list of lawmakers who allegedly received money embezzled from the e-ID project. It has never questioned the two politicians as witnesses in the case.
PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto and Pramono have denied Setya's claims. Puan has yet to make comments on the allegation. (ahw)
