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Rights watchdog cautions KPK on Setya's testimony naming ministers
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Under trial: E-ID graft suspect and defendant Setya Novanto (left) attends a hearing on Feb. 19. at the Jakarta Corruption Court. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
R
ights advocacy group Setara Institute has said that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) must be careful in responding to defendant Setya Novanto's testimony last week that high-ranking public officials received illicit funds from the e-ID graft case.
Setara Institute chairman Hendardi pointed out that the courtroom could become a source of fake information that might cause a public uproar ahead of the 2018 regional elections and 2019 general election.
During his hearing on Thursday, former House of Representatives speaker Setya testified that illicit money from the e-ID graft case had also been distributed to Puan Maharani and Pramono Anung, two senior members of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) who were House legislators when the alleged transaction took place.
Setya said the two politicians, who are currently serving as Cabinet ministers in the Joko Widodo administration, received US$500,000 each from the e-ID procurement project of 2009-2012.
“In the political years, fake news can come not only in the form of ethnic, religious, racial and societal group [SARA] content, but also material that could destroy the integrity and dignity of a person, political party or any related [groups],” said Hendardi in a press statement on Tuesday.
Testimonies on the e-ID graft case that Setya and former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin delivered in their separate corruption trials have implicated several public figures, information that the KPK could use in developing the corruption case further.
“However, misleading materials [provided] at court do not require a response, as it could cause disruption among political parties,” said Hendardi. (ebf)
