The Jakarta Globe, May 23, 2013.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will investigate a report listing money transfers totaling almost Rp 10 billion from Ahmad Fathanah, a central figure in the beef corruption scandal, to more than 45 women, including a high school student and some celebrities.
“We will analyze the report first,” KPK deputy chairman Zulkarnain said on Wednesday.
Journalists got a hold of the list, which was submitted by the Financial Transaction Report and Analysis Center (PPATK) to the KPK, on Thursday. KPK spokesman Johan Budi, however, denied that they leaked the document.
Ahmad Fathanah, a close aide of former Prosperous and Justice Party (PKS) chairman Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, was arrested for allegedly receiving a Rp 1 billion ($103,000) bribe on behalf of Luthfi to steer government beef import contracts.
He is also accused of money laundering, by giving luxurious gifts and money in amounts of up to Rp 2 billion to more than 45 women since 2005. The money was allegedly received in exchange for his brokering the deal between beef importer company Indoguna Utama and the Agriculture Ministry.
The biggest transfer in the PPATK list, which covered 2005-2013, was Rp 2 billion to a woman named Elsya Putri Adiyanti, now aged 20, when she was still a high school student two years ago.
Another woman who received big slice of Fathanah’s money was Lindi Silviana Indrastuti, a doctor and wife of PKS member Ahmad Zaki. She received Rp 1.025 billion.
TV actress Novia Ardhana was listed as having received Rp 128. 5 million and actress and TV host Kiki Amalia Rp 7.5 million.
However, several women have already turned over to the KPK items and amounts received from Fathanah that are not in the list, which means the total amount allegedly laundered could very well be much higher.
For instance, dangdut singer Tri Kurnia was listed as having received Rp 35 million, but she has in fact already turned over Rp 400 million and a Honda Freed to KPK.
Actress Ayu Azhari was not on the list but has turned over Rp 20 million and $1,800 received from Fathanah to the KPK after being quizzed by the antigraft agency.
Adult magazine model Vitalia Shesya, also not on the list, has admitted to receiving a diamond ring worth Rp 90 million. She has also turned over a Honda Jazz to the commission.
Fathanah was arrested in a hotel room with a university student Maharany Suciyono, who later admitted to being paid Rp 10 million to sleep with him.
When questioned by journalists last week, Fathanah’s lawyer Ahmad Rozi said that the money transfers were made to no more than 20 women.
KPK’s Johan Budi said on Thursday that the agency has finished Fathanah’s dossier and that the case would be handed over to the prosecutors on Friday
do 23 mei 2013 - 8:20