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KPK investigates fresh BI graft case
The anti-graft commission could be getting closer to satisfying public curiosity about whether money talks at the House of Representatives, with the commission gathering evidence in relation to a new central bank scandal.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed it questioned Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) lawmaker Agus Condro, who admitted to receiving Rp 500 million (US$54,900) in cash following the election of Miranda S. Goeltom as BI senior deputy governor in 2004.

KPK deputy chairman Mochammad Yasin said Monday the anti-graft body would immediately follow up on Agus' confession.

"It's going to be our preliminary evidence in a new case. It has nothing to do with the cases of HY and AZA, which we are investigating now," he said.

His statement referred to two Golkar Party politicians, Hamka Yandhu and Anthony Zeidra Abidin, who have been named suspects in the 2003 distribution of Rp 31.5 billion in BI funds to 52 members -- from all factions -- of the former House Commission IX on financial affairs.

Also implicated in the scandal are State Minister for Development Planning Paskah Suzetta and Forestry Minister Malam Sambat Kaban, who, according to Hamka, received Rp 1 billion and Rp 300 million of the money, respectively. Paskah and Kaban were both members of the commission.

Agus was among the commission members mentioned by Hamka during his testimony in court earlier this month.

Jasin said Agus, currently a member of House Commission II on domestic affairs and regional autonomy, voluntarily went to the KPK last week to testify that he and four of his colleagues had each received Rp 500 million in connection with the House's election of a new BI senior deputy governor in June 2004 to replace Anwar Nasution.

Candidates for the position examined by members of then Commission IX were Budi Rochadi, Hartadi A. Sarwono and Miranda S. Goeltom. The lawmakers voted for Miranda.

Vote-buying allegations were rife at the time, but commission chief Emir Moeis played down the accusations, saying they lacked evidence. He said his party, the PDI-P, would not tolerate bribery.

After confessing to the KPK, Agus told reporters he received the money from PDI-P colleague Dudhie Makmum Murod in Emir's room. Emir denied the statement, saying he was ready to prove his innocence.

In response to Agus' account, PDI-P secretary-general Pramono Anung Wibowo said the party would conduct an internal investigation and that party executives would summon Agus and all the lawmakers he mentioned.

Promono said Agus acted upon his own initiative in reporting the past scandal to the KPK.

"But we will summon him to get detailed information about the case before taking any action. We will respect the principle of the presumption of innocence," Pramono said Monday.

Agus said he told the KPK investigators about the bribery for fear the anti-graft commission had already uncovered evidence.

Anti-corruption watchdogs immediately called on the KPK to place Agus under its witness protection program because he might lead the KPK to powerful suspects.