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‘Reported bribe to KPK’, Lukman says after questioning
Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin has rejected an incriminating statement by the Corruption Eradication Commission alleging that he accepted a bribe for a career promotion at his ministry.
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Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin gestures to the press after being questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in Jakarta on Wednesday. Lukman was summoned as a witness in a case against graft suspect Muhammad Romahurmuziy of the United Development Party (PPP) in connection with bribery related to a promotion at his office. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
“About a month ago, I informed the KPK about the money. I told the KPK investigators as much during the questioning,” Lukman told journalists on Wednesday after a five-hour interrogation session at the antigraft body’s headquarters in Jakarta.
Lukman was questioned as a witness against Muhammad “Romy” Romahurmuziy, the former chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) and chairman of the party’s faction at the House of Representatives. The graft busters suspect Romy of accepting Rp 300 million (US$20,969) for rigging a promotion at the ministry.
“I also showed them proof that I had handed over the money to the antigraft body, because I thought it was not my right to accept the money,” said Lukman, who is also a PPP member.
In a written statement, the KPK previously alleged that the minister accepted Rp 10 million from the newly appointed head of the East Java Religious Affairs Office, Haris Hasanudin.
Haris allegedly got the position with Romy’s help, according to a text message he reportedly sent to the former party chairman. The KPK has also named Haris a suspect in the case.
“Thank God. I was officially appointed this evening because of the help of you and the minister. I am now ready to strengthen the PPP’s grip, especially in East Java,” Haris wrote to Romy, according to the KPK.
