Graft defendant and former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin has accused Democratic chairman Anas Urbaningrum of splashing out almost US$7 million to have votes swayed his way in the party's chairmanship election last year.

"A day before the National Working Meeting (Rakernas), Anas spent $6,975,000 dollars," Nazaruddin said in Jakarta on Wednesday, as quoted by tempo.co.

He said Rp 50 billion (around $5 million at that time) of the money was obtained from Hambalang project builder PT Adhikarya and Rp 20 billion from Adi Saptinus, a person from the company.

Nazaruddin said that he had evidence of the transactions which proves Anas' involvement in the Hambalang project. "After Anas became chairman, Yulianis gave Anas the receipts [of the transactions]. Anas then instructed me to check the receipts. That is why I have the copies," he said.

According to Nazaruddin, the money was distributed to 325 of the Party's Branch Executive Council (DPC) members that chose Anas. (awd)