Former Ruling Party Chief Detained by KPK Over Corruption Allegations

Jakarta (Antara) - On Friday, the former chairman of the ruling Democratic Party, Anas Urbaningrum, was detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), after several hours of interrogation, in connection with his alleged involvement in a corruption case. "He is detained at the East Jakarta Detention Center for the initial 20 days," KPK spokesman Johan Budi stated. Anas emerged from the KPK building in a detainee costume at 6 p.m. after being grilled for five hours. The interrogation was conducted by the KPK after he was subpoenaed for the third time. Anas failed to meet the first two summons on July 31, 2013 and January 7, 2014. Anas was not accompanied by his lawyers during the investigation. His lawyers had raised an objection to the KPK's order for investigation, which they thought was not justified, as it stated that Anas will be interrogated in connection with the Hambalang project along with other projects. "We disagree with the wording, which states that Anas is a graft suspect in the Hambalang project and other projects. The KPK investigators failed to provide an explanation when the team questioned them on the details regarding the other projects," one of Anas's lawyers, Pia Akbar Nasution, stated during a telephonic conversation when asked for her comments on Anas' detention. One of Anas's loyalists, Gede Pasek Suardika, who is also the secretary general of the Perhimpunan Pergerakan Indonesia (Indonesian Movement Association - PPI), a new organization established by Anas following his resignation from the Democratic Party, noted that Anas had honored the KPK's summon as a mark of his cooperation. "That was his wish. He has come to the KPK headquarters at his own will in order to avoid any misinterpretations. In the morning, he said that he will cooperate with the KPK in its efforts to find truth and justice and it is not a forced case," noted Gede Pasek, who accompanied Anas, on his arrival at the KPK headquarters. (*)