“The decision came from Tjahjo Kumolo, the chairman of the PDI-P wing at the House of Representatives’ Commission IX at the time. He said it was the party’s decision,” Panda said.  

He confirmed that party’s legislators had met Miranda at Dharmawangsa Hotel in Jakarta prior to the election, but denied that money, gifts or any form of bribes was discussed at the meeting.     
“It was an initial meeting between the party and Miranda, but nothing special happened there. We were just introduced,” Panda said.

He also denied that Tjahjo had appointed him to lead a team to ensure that Miranda would win the election, saying that “no such team ever existed”.

Former PDI-P legislator Dudhie Makmun Murod testified at the Corruption Court that 19 PDI-P politicians from Commission IX had accepted traveler’s checks issued by Bank International Indonesia worth Rp 9.8 billion (US$1.1 million) to back Miranda in the election.

Top PDI-P politicians including Panda, Izedrik Emir Moeis and Agus Condro Prayitno were among those mentioned. Panda allegedly received Rp 1.45 billion, the largest amount.

Dudhie said Panda ordered him to take envelopes containing traveler’s checks from middleman Ari Malangjudo at Bebek Bali restaurant in Jakarta and to hand them to PDI-P legislators from the commission.

Panda denied ever asking Dudhie to pick up traveler’s checks at the restaurant.

“I couldn’t order him to do anything because he was not my subordinate. I was a secretary and he was a treasurer for our party wing in the commission,” he said.

Dudhie, however, insisted in his plea, recited by his lawyer, Amir Karyatin, at the Corruption Court on Tuesday, that he distributed the checks under Panda’s instructions.

“The defendant only followed instructions from then PDI-P wing secretary Panda Nababan,” Amir said.  

Dudhie’s defense plea also alleged that Panda and Tjahjo had issued both written and verbal orders to vote for Miranda. Dudhie’s plea mentioned Dila, an assistant to the party’s wing, who transferred
Rp 500 million from Panda to the party’s bank account.

Panda later denied the accusation, saying that Dila was Dudhie’s assistant and that Dudhie was the one responsible for all the money.

At the trial, Dudhie said that he followed the instructions out of loyalty to his party.

Dudhie, Udju Djuheiri of the House’s military and police faction, Hamka Yandhu of the Golkar Party and Endin AJ Soefihara of the United Development Party (PPP) are defendants in the bribery case at the Corruption Court.

Dudhie, however, insisted in his plea... that he distributed the checks under Panda’s instructions.

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