Jakarta – The Corruption Court questioned Monday the role of presidential advisor Adnan Buyung Nasution, a former lawyer for Sjamsul Nursalim, in helping the tycoon evade a graft inquiry at the Attorney General's Office (AGO).
Judge Andi Bachtiar read out a taped phone conversation transcript between businesswoman Artalyta Suryani, who is on bribery trial, and AGO prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan, who is being detained for allegedly taking a US$660,000 bribe from her.
In a conversation on Jan. 15, 2008, Artalyta told Urip she had consulted Buyung about Sjamsul's letter requesting the AGO refrain from questioning him. Sjamsul had been charged with misusing Rp 28.4 trillion in Bank Indonesia liquidity support (BLBI) funds. "I'm telling Buyung to sign the letter first," Artalyta said to Urip.
"Buyung said, Well, the questioning is only about verifying data; it doesn't mean that the person has to show up'," she added.
Urip was then leading the AGO team to investigate the BLBI case of Sjamsul, former owner of the now defunct Bank Dagang Nasional Indonesia.
Sjamsul had defied AGO summonses twice before the office received an excuse letter dated Jan. 16, 2008, bearing the Adnan Buyung Nasution & Partners (ABNP) law firm's insignia. The firm wrote that their client had been ill.
On Feb. 29, the AGO dropped its investigation into the Sjamsul case, citing a lack of evidence. Two days later the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested both Urip and Artalyta for alleged bribery.
In their indictment, KPK prosecutors said that early in January 2008 Urip had advised Artalyta to make a letter requesting Sjamsul be excused from questioning due to illness, and to have his lawyers sign the letter.
Artalyta claimed that she forgot whether she had made any conversation with Buyung or met with him. "I don't remember it," she told Monday's court hearing.
Buyung was Sjamsul's lawyer until he joined the Presidential Advisory Council in March 2007, but his ABNP law firm team remains defending the tycoon.
The KPK prosecutors said in the indictment that a day after the conversation on Jan. 16, Artalyta submitted Sjamsul's excuse letter to the AGO. The letter was signed by Eri Hertiawan of the ABNP and Maqdir Ismail, a former lawyer for the law firm.
Eri, who testified Monday, said Buyung knew Sjamsul was going to defy the summons due to health problems. He also admitted the lawyers failed to attach any medical notice for their client.
The KPK has alleged that Artalyta bribed Urip $660,000 to ensure the AGO halt its BLBI investigation targeting Sjamsul.
Buyung was another big name mentioned in the Artalyta bribery trial. At previous hearings, the prosecutors revealed links between Artalyta and three top AGO officials.
KPK prosecutor Sarjono Turin said his office was summoning former AGO deputy attorney general for special crimes Kemas Yahya Rahman and former director of special criminal investigation Muhammad Salim to the trial.
"I hope they can testify in next week's hearing session," Sarjono said. The presiding judge adjourned the trial until Wednesday to hear other witnesses. (dre)