Indonesia’s Top Legislator Arrested on Graft Allegation

Jakarta, 16 Dzulhijjah 1437/18 September 2016 (MINA) – Indonesian anti-corruption watchdog on Saturday arrested Chairman of Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Irman Gusman for allegedly receiving bribe, chairman of the watchdog disclosed.

Gusman was declared as suspect for allegedly receiving 100 million rupiah (some 7,615.6 U.S. dollars) bribe, linked with a case regarding sugar import quota for West Sumatra, from the president director of a firm, Xinhua quoted Chairman of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Agus Rahardjo as saying.

“The bribe for IG (Gusman) is allegedly linked with sugar import quota given by state logistic agency in 2016,” Rahardjo told a press conference.

The watchdog also arrested and declared suspect president director of the company, his wife and his younger brother for allegedly giving the bribe, he said.

Gusman and the three suspects were arrested by a KPK team in an operation at about 00 : 30 Jakarta time at Gusman’s house just after the bribery occurred there, Rahardjo cited.

Responding on the arrest, President Joko Widodo reaffirmed a call for terminating corruption.

“Stop engaging in corruption, this call is for everybody,” he said after the watchdog’s announcement.

Indonesia has strived to fight against seismic corruption and scores of officials, from lawmaker to active central bank governor, had been sent to jail and undergone legal process on corruption charges. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)