Politic Headlines

JAKARTA, Indonesia Today - Angelina Sondakh, lawmaker from President SBY’s Demokrat Party has been named as a new suspect in the high-profile bribery case of athlete dormitory. 

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman, Abraham Samad, in the press conference on Friday (Feb 3), revealed that Angie has been named since yesterday (Thursday Feb 3).

Abraham explained that Angie has been named as a new suspect after KPK has successfully collected two instruments of evidences. KPK has charged Angie with Article 5 paragraph 2 or Article 11 or Article 12a of the Corruption Law No 31/1999 as amended by Law No 30/2001.

According to Abraham, Angie has been accused to have received promises and gifts. KPK then hopes that Angie will be an entrance door to develop the case, for revealing another suspects.

While related to journalist question about another politicians such as Anas Urbaningrum (Demokrat Party chairman) and I Wayan Koster (PDI-P lawmaker), who have been also repeatedly mentioned for their involvements in the case, Abraham answered that KPK still needs two instruments of evidences for declaring them as new suspects.

Abraham, the only one KPK leader that attended the press conference, also denied any internal conflict at KPK speculated by journalists given the absence of four other KPK leaders at the conference. Abraham said that the decision has been discussed with all KPK leaders.

Angie, who is also deputy secretary general of Demokrat Party, before named as a new suspect, actually had been examined several times by KPK.

She is now following her former party colleague, Muhammad Nazaruddin (former Demokrat Party treasurer) who has been previously named as the graft suspect in this high-profile bribery case. KPK earlier today, has also imposed an overseas travel ban for Angie and I Wayan Koster (PDI-P lawmaker) for their involvement in the case.

Nazaruddin has repeatedly mentioned Angie and Wayan Koster to have involved in the high-profile case. While Yulianis, former vice director of Permai Group, a company controlled by Nazaruddin, testified before the court on January 25 that Permai Group had given Rp5 billion of fees to Angie and Wayan Koster. Yulianis said assertively that she is pretty sure about that because she has kept a record for every expenses of Permai Group.

Angie’s name had been also mentioned in a copy of Blackberry Messenger communication with Mindo Rosalina Manulang (marketing director of PT Anak Negeri, a company controlled by Nazaruddin). Angie in Blackberry Messenger communication asked Rosa for a bigger portion (of fees) from the athlete dormitory project.

Meanwhile, Anas Urbaningrum (Demokrat Party chairman) is also mentioned to have involved in the same case. Nazaruddin and other witnesses have revealed about Anas‘ involvement. The allegation of Anas involvement in the case has been mentioned formally before court hearing by two witnesses; Mindo Rosalina Manulang (marketing director of PT Anak Negeri) and Yulianis. PT Anak Negeri is also controlled by Nazaruddin.

Some groups have also urged KPK to immediately named Anas as a new suspect in this high-profile bribery case. Anas has geen also under pressures from his internal party, demanding him to resign from Demokrat Party chairman post. Ruhut Sitompul, known as Anas’ party colleagues, even asked Anas to resign from his position. (indra@theindonesiatoday.com)

Angelina Sondakh Athlete Dormitory Case