Sports Minister Resigns Amid Alleged Involvement in Corruption Case

Jakarta - Sports Minister Andi Malaranggeng resigned from his present post at his ministry after the issuance of a travel ban by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) against him. Speaking in a press conference here on Friday, he said that he did not want to give more burden to the president following his alleged involvement in the corruption case. The anti graft body last Thursday announced that it bans Andi from traveling overseas in connection with its investigation of a corruption case in the Hambalang sports complex project. "It is true KPK has sent a letter to the director general of immigration of the ministry of justice and human rights number 4569/01/23/21/2012 dated December 3 to ask for a travel ban for AAM, AZM and MAT from PT AK," KPK deputy chief commissioner Bambang Widjojanto said earlier. AAM are initials for Andi Mallarangeng, the sports minister, while AZM for Andi Zulkarnain Mallarangeng, the minister`s brother, and MAT for M Arief Taufiqurahman who was head of construction division of PT Adhi Karya. "KPK is now conducting an investigation into a corruption case linked to the procurement of Hambalang sports facilities for the year of 2010-2011 committed by suspect, Andi Alfian Mallarangeng, as sports minister/user of budget in the sports ministry and friends as meant by Article 2 paragraph 1 and Article 3 of Law Number 39 of 1999 on corruption and for the purpose of the investigation we request your help to prevent or ban three persons namely AAM, AZM and MAt, concerned to travel abroad," the letter states. "The ban is usually for six months," Bambang said. (*)