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Ahok feels he is often cornered by his subordinates
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Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama appears at a hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday as a witness in the trial of Ariesman Widjaja, former CEO of Agung Podomoro Land (APL), who allegedly bribed city councilor M. Sanusi in connection with the deliberation of two reclamation bills. (The Jakarta Post/Dhoni Setiawan)
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akarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has said that he is often put in a difficult situation by his subordinates, particularly when they have testified about legal issues related to the Jakarta administration.
Speaking at a court hearing as a witness on Tuesday, Ahok said he felt cornered by spatial planning and environment bureau head Vera Revina Sari when she testified about the 15 percent additional contribution required from reclamation developers.
Ahok was summoned as a witness in the trial of Ariesman Widjaja, former CEO of Agung Podomoro Land (APL), who allegedly bribed city councilor M. Sanusi in connection with the deliberation of two reclamation bills.
The bills, whose deliberation was stopped after the arrest of Sanusi on March 31, would have regulated the additional contribution from reclamation developers. APL reportedly wanted to reduce the contribution to only 5 percent from 15 percent as stipulated in one of the bills.
(Read also : 'I'm an unpaid political staffer for Ahok': Sunny)
The additional contribution is based on the sales of properties on the reclaimed lands.
According to Ahok’s testimony on June 30, Vera told a court hearing that she knew nothing about the 15 percent of additional contribution. Vera also said he also did not know the legal basis for such a contribution. “When I read a report on Bu Vera’s testimony, I thought I had to fire her,” he said.
Ahok said many of his subordinates had tried to corner him when they gave courtroom testimonies or when they were questioned by police investigators.
“When they were asked to testimony, many tried to corner me. I always follow the news reports. For certain people, I may be an annoying man. When they are questioned by police investigators or any others, they like to corner me, sir,” Ahok told judges during the court hearing as reported by kompas.com. (bbn)
