Thursday 17 July 2008

All bribery cash was handed over to PKB: lawyer

All bribery cash was handed over to PKB: lawyer

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta Wed, 07/16/2008

All money received by Yusuf Emir Faisal, a suspect in the bribery case relating to a forest conversion in Banyuasin, South Sumatra, went to the National Awakening Party (PKB), his lawyer says.

Lawyer Sela Salomo told Elshinta Radio at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday that Yusuf Emir Faisal received Rp 800 million (about US$87,512) from an unknown party, handing Rp 300 million over to the then PKB's treasurer Arief Djuanedi. The remaining Rp 500 million was given to the then chairman of the PKB's Tanfidz council Muamir Muin Syam.

Emir has previously admitted to accepting money in relation to the conversion project, but said he had handed the money over to the PKB in accordance with party regulations.

Sela said the Rp 300 million was allocated to medical treatment of PKB's Syuro council chairman Abdurrahman Wahid. The remaining Rp 500 million was allocated to the party's campaign office.

Beside Emir, the KPK has detained lawmaker Sarjan Taher as a suspect in the bribery case over the conversion of a mangrove forest for the construction of the Tanjung Api-Api seaport.

Emir is the chairman of the House of Representatives Commission IV which oversees forestry, agriculture and fisheries, and Sarjan is a member of the commission.(**)