The Jakarta Globe, January 11, 2014.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) refused a request by former Democratic Party chair Anas Urbaningrum’s family and legal team to visit him in the antigraft body’s detention center on Saturday, a non-visiting day, in the latest sign that Anas, once a rising star in Indonesian politics, won’t be receiving any special treatment behind bars.
“He can’t be visited,” a security officer told the Indonesian newspaper Kompas. “They need to get approval from an investigator. Besides, today is not even a visiting day.”
Allegations of special treatment for powerful and rich detainees is common in Indonesia. Suspects and convicted felons behind bars have been able to conduct business, schedule trysts with lovers and leave for various personal reasons — from attending weddings to getting haircuts — in the past.
The disgraced politician was arrested Friday evening after five hours of questioning over his alleged involvement in three corruption cases, the graft-tainted construction of the Hambalang sports center, the procurement of a bird flu vaccine and laboratory equipment at Airlangga University, Indonesian media reported.
The KPK has been quiet regarding the “other cases,” listed in a summons sent to Anas. But his attorney Carrel Ticualu told VivaNews.com in an interview that the KPK had tacked-on two additional corruption cases to Anas’s docket, bringing the total to three. The additional charges, both which originated in the antigraft body’s case against former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin, have not been confirmed by KPK officials.
Another attorney on the legal team, Firman Wijaya accused the commission of fabricating the charges, in an interview with MetroTV. Carrel urged the KPK to publicly mention the cases.
“They should [mention] the two cases at the beginning of the investigation, not suddenly add them on later,” he told the Indonesian news portal VivaNews.
The politician’s organization of loyalists, the Indonesia Movement Association (PPI), accused the KPK of bowing to political pressure from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in its investigation. PPI officials have long accused Yudhoyono, and his son Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, of accepting kickbacks from the Hambalang project. Anas sarcastically thanked the president after his detention before issuing an ominous warning to the ruling family.
“Most of all, I would like to thank SBY,” Anas said. “Hopefully this incident will be meaningful and will be a 2014 New Year’s gift. The other thing, later, what I am sure is that when we fight for truth and justice. I’m sure, in the end, the truth will win.”
The KPK has denied any meddling in its investigation, explaining that Anas was detained because agents uncovered sufficient evidence of his involvement in corruption scandals, not because of political pressure.
“The KPK only looks at the legal aspects [of the case], it has nothing to do with politics or power,” KPK spokesman Johan Budi told the state-run Antara News Agency. “Whoever the suspect is, [they are charged] because the KPK found sufficient evidence. It is related to the law.”
The commission will call Edhie in for questioning if Anas can provide more evidence than mere allegations, Johan said.
“Edhie Baskoro can be questioned by the KPK if Anas’s statement to KPK investigators are more than words without evidence,” he told Antara. “A.U. has the opportunity to explain the situation to the investigators.”
The PPI, convinced of political involvement, plans to file a pretrial motion requesting a review of the KPK’s investigation. The group questioned why not all of the witnesses mentioned in the case were interviewed by the KPK.
“Mainly, the PPI will assess it in an objective forum,” Deny Haryatna said. “This is not a war against the legal enforcers. It is for the legal enforcers to work well.”
Anas’s legal team will continue to push for visitation rights for his family, Firman said.
“I am pleading — this is human rights matter — since last night the family has tried to visit the suspect,” he told Kompas. “Bambang [Widjojanto] and Busyro [Muqoddas] should understand this. They’re just family members, they have nothing to do with the case.”
His family has worked with supporters to prepare daily meals for Anas, telling the press they are concerned he will be poisoned in detention.
“The food and drink is prepared by the family every day,” Denny told the Indonesian news portal Inilah.com. “Anas should be protected from the any [bad] possibilities.”
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za 11 jan 2014 - 20:34