Jakarta – Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors have indicted former youth and sports minister Imam Nahrawi for accepting Rp 11.5 billion (US$840,280) in bribes and an additional Rp 8.64 billion in gratuities from a number of ministry and Indonesian Sports Council (KONI) officials.
"Defendant Imam Nahrawi, who served as youth and sports minister from 2014 to 2019 alongside Miftahul Ulum, accepted a gift of Rp 11.5 billion in cash from KONI secretary-general Ending Fuad Hamidy and KONI general treasurer Johhny E Awuy," KPK prosecutor Ronald Worotikan read out during Imam's indictment hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday, as quoted by Antara news agency.
The prosecutors said that the bribes were intended to accelerate the approval and disbursement of a state grant proposed by KONI to the Youth and Sports Ministry in 2018.
Imam took office as youth and sports minister on Oct. 27, 2014, and appointed Miftahul – who had been his close confidante and chauffeur since 2011 – as his private assistant.
"The defendant introduced Miftahul Ulum to a host of Youth and Sports Ministry officials, suggesting that they first consult with Miftahul should there be anything they would like to communicate to the defendant," Ronald said.
Imam was indicted under Article 20 of the 2001 Corruption Eradication Law, which prohibits civil servants and state officials from receiving gifts or promises in exchange for abusing their power and carries a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment.
Imam did not submit a formal objection to the indictment but said that he would present his side of the story later in the trial.
"To uncover the truth, I ask that the trial continue to the argumentation stage. But I strongly object to the indictment, and I will express that when I present my defense," Imam said during the hearing.
A team of prosecutors had previously named Imam on a list of alleged recipients of bribes from the National Sports Committee (KONI) to the ministry during the trial of committee secretary-general Ending Fuad Hamidy at the Jakarta Corruption Court last year.
KPK also questioned Indonesia's 2004 Athens Olympic gold medalist Taufik Hidayat as a witness in the bribery case. (rfa)