Trial of Former Party Chief Starts Today

Jakarta (Antara) - Trial of former chairman of Islamic-based Prosperous and Justice Party (PKS) Luthfi Hasan and his associate Fathanah starts today. The two are named suspects in the beef import quota scandal at the Agriculture Ministry and money laundering crime. "I will talk to the press after today's trial," Luthfi Hasan who is former Chairman of PKS said here on Monday before entering the court room. Meanwhile another defendant Fathanah expressed his readiness o stand in trial. "Alhamdulillah, I'm healthy today," he said. Luthfi Hasan and Fathanah are said to have violate Regulation Number 12 (a) and (b) or Regulation Number 5 article 2 and Regulation Number 55 about state employees who are banned from receiving present from the third party. Both are threatened with 20 years in jail sentence. Both are also charged with anti-money laundering regulations. In the beef import scandal, the KPK has named and arrested five suspects, Juard Effendi, Arya Abdi Effendi (both are directors of beef importer PT Indoguna Utama), Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq (former president of the Prosperous Justice Party), his close friend Ahmad Fathanah and Maria Elizabeth Liman, president director of PT Indoguna Utama. The anti-graft body also confiscated as evidence a cash of Rp1 billion, put in black crinkle paper bag. The money was a down payment of a commitment fee worth Rp40 billion pledged for the issuance of a permit to import 8,000 tons of beef by PT Indoguna Utama. Juard and Arya were arrested by the KPK on Tuesday (Jan 29) at Arya`s house in Cakung, East Jakarta after handing over Rp1 billion to Ahmad Fathanah at the PT Indoguna Utama building. Ahmad Fathanah himself was arrested at Le Meredien Hotel in Jakarta. (*) Reporting by Desca Lidya Natalia Translating and Editing by Amie Fenia Ari