Nivell Rayda, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission said on Wednesday that a planned joint investigation with the House into bribery allegations surrounding a high-level central bank appointment would have to be put on hold.
The investigation would look into claims that Rp 24 billion ($2.6 million) was distributed to lawmakers to secure economist Miranda Goeltom's appointment as Bank Indonesia's senior deputy governor in 2004.
Johan Budi, a spokesman for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), said the postponement was due to the failure of KPK deputy chairman Chandra M Hamzah to attend a hearing on Wednesday with House of Representatives Commission III, which oversees legal affairs. The hearing was to address a bill on money laundering that is currently being drafted.
"Bibit is also out of town and so are some of the investigators handling the case," Budi said in reference to Bibit Samad Riyanto, another KPK deputy chairman.
The meeting was going to address a May decision by the Anti-Corruption Court that found four active and former lawmakers guilty of distributing bribes in the form of 480 traveler's checks to members of their respective parties in the House in exchange for their support for Miranda's nomination.
The court found the checks were provided by businesswoman Nunun Nurbaetie Daradjatun, an associate of Miranda's. At least 35 other lawmakers received the checks, the court ruled.
"The plan was to discuss the court decision and to determine if there is enough evidence to name more suspects in the case," Johan said of the canceled meeting.
Indonesia Corruption Watch deputy chairman Emerson Yuntho said KPK should already have enough evidence to charge Nunun in the case.
"Nunun is a central figure in the case. The lawmakers sentenced by the court all admitted they received checks from Nunun. By charging her, the KPK could nail the financier of the bribe and possibly Miranda herself," Emerson said.
The Financial Transaction Report and Analysis Center (PPATK) traced all 480 checks allegedly used in the bribe and discovered they were issued by PT Bank International Indonesia and purchased by PT First Mujur Plantation and Industry, a palm oil company owned by Tommy Winata.
Nunun, the wife of Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) lawmaker Adang Daradjatun, has failed to answer several summonses from the KPK. There have been reports that she is being treated at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore for a mysterious illness that causes severe memory problems.
The KPK has been trying to conduct its own assessment of Nunun's medical condition since early this year.
Hasril Hertanto, a legal analyst at the University of Indonesia, said Nunun could face charges of obstruction of justice if the KPK found her fit to testify.
"By declaring her as a witness, the KPK could file an extradition request with Singapore or have her passport revoked, thus forcing her to return to Indonesian legal jurisdiction," he said.
Andi Bachtiar, an Anti-Corruption Court judge, wrote a dissenting opinion when the court found the lawmakers guilty of accepting bribes. Andi said it was crucial for the KPK to charge Nunun and suggested that the businesswoman be tried in absentia.
Sitting lawmakers Dudhie Makmun Murod, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), and Endin Soefihara, from the United Development Party (PPP), and former lawmakers Hamka Yandhu, from Golkar, and Udju Djuhaeri, from the now-defunct Police and Military faction, were sentenced to 30 months in prison each by the court.
Emerson of the ICW added that the KPK should also charge the remaining 35 lawmakers for their roles in the case.