KPK Bans Lebak District Head Candidate from Travelling Abroad

Jakarta (Antara) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has prohibited Amir Hamzah and Kasmin bin Saelan, candidates for Lebak district head and deputy head, from travelling abroad due to an investigation into alleged bribery. "That is right. The ban was issued on October 7, 2013," head of public relations of the Directorate General of Immigration, Heriyanto, said here on Tuesday. The travel ban for Amir Hamzah and Kasmin from Golkar Party remains in effect for six months. Amir Hamzah was deputy head of Lebak district in 2008-2013, while Kasmin was Banten's regional legislative assembly member. On Monday, KPK questioned two adjutants of Amir Hamzah. Amir Hamzah and Kasmin have filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court over the results of the counting of votes by the local General Election Commission that was in favor of their rivals, Iti Octavia Jayabaya and Ade Sumardi. The panel of judges, led by Akil Mochtar, who has been named a suspect by KPK for allegedly receiving bribes in connection with the dispute, granted the appeal to Hamzah and Kasmin during a meeting on October 1 and ordered a repeat vote. KPK also issued a travel ban for Banten governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah in connection with the case. KPK has named Akil Mochtar as a suspect for allegedly receiving bribes in connection with the case. Other persons who have been named suspect in the case are lawyer Susi Tur Handayani for allegedly receiving bribes and Tubagus Chaery Wardana for allegedly paying bribes. KPK confiscated Rp1 billion worth of cash in Rp100,000 and Rp50,000 bills kept in a travel bag at the home of Susi's parents, according to officials. (*)