Nivell Rayda

Ex-Lawmaker Suspect Points Court To Other Corruption Targets in House

A graft suspect at the Anti-Corruption Court asked the court on Wednesday to cross-examine more witnesses in a Rp 3 billion bribery case linked to this year’s economic stimulus package.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors were originally scheduled to summon just two more witnesses, but lawyers defending former National Mandate Party (PAN) lawmaker Abdul Hadi Djamal asked that the KPK call more witnesses, including several members of the House of Representatives’ budget committee who were in charge of the stimulus bill deliberation.

Abdul Hadi also asked the prosecution to show surveillance footage he said could implicate Democratic Party lawmaker Johnny Allen Marbun.

“We just want the court to reveal the whole story,” he said.

Lead prosecutor Edi Hartoyo argued that the requested witnesses were not directly linked to the bribery case. However, presiding judge Sutiyono granted the defendant’s request and ordered the KPK to call the witnesses and present the footage.

Abdul Hadi is charged with accepting Rp 3 billion ($300,000) in bribes from businessman Hontjo Kurniawan to increase the stimulus package for a seaport construction project that Hontjo’s company, PT Kurnia Jaya Wirabhakti, had secured.

Hontjo was sentenced last month to three and a half years in prison for his role in the case.

Abdul Hadi claimed that the request for the money came from Johnny, who co-chaired the House budget committee.

Abdul Hadi also said he had given Rp 1 billion to Johnny through Johnny’s assistant, a man named Resko.

When the prosecution brought Johnny to testify at the court on Wednesday, the Democrat reiterated his testimony from Hontjo’s trial that he had not made the request or received any money.

Johnny also repeated claims that he does not have an assistant named Resko.

In court, Abdul Hadi said to Johnny: “Do you remember, my brother, that you once told me you needed money for your re-election campaign? Do you remember that after receiving the Rp 1 billion you said to me, ‘Where is the rest’?”

Abdul Hadi said that on March 3, the day of his arrest, Johnny had called him to ask when he would collect the remainder of the funds.

“I asked if Resko could pick up the money. And you said no, so I went to meet Hontjo,” Abdul Hadi said to Johnny.

Johnny denied this was true.

Abdul Hadi said the surveillance footage he requested be presented showed Johnny and Resko together at an Aston Residence apartment, where Abdul Hadi allegedly handed over the Rp 1 billion.

Abdul Hadi also asked the prosecution to call several staff members from the House Secretariat, who he said could testify that Resko worked for Johnny.

The prosecution said they would call the staff members to testify when the trial resumed on Aug. 19.

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