Former Law Minister to be Nazaruddin's Legal Adviser

Jakarta (Antara) - The former law minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra has expressed interest to become the legal adviser to the former ruling Democrat Party treasurer Nazaruddin, who is currently serving a jail term on charges of corruption. "So long, I have to be only his legal adviser and I am ready for it," the law professor stated in a text message received here on Friday. On Thursday, before testifying as a witness in the case of a former Sports Ministry official, Deddy Kusdinar, Nazaruddin noted that he required a legal adviser in order to unveil a number of corruption cases that he had knowledge of. "Nazar is ready to uncover several corruption cases in the country, but he is still hesitant and apprehensive about doing it. Hence, he wants me to be his legal adviser and counselor, so that he finds the courage to say the right things. If this is what he wants, it is not an issue," he claimed. Yusril, who is also a political figure from the Bulan Bintang (Moon and Star) Party, acknowledged that Nazar had written to him around a fortnight back, requesting him to be his counsel with regard to his plans to unearth major corruption cases. "He has not disclosed the details of the cases as yet. But, he cursorily mentioned about the Hambalang, E-KTP, and Merpati plane purchase cases," he noted. "This time in his letter or statement, Nazar did not request me to become his lawyer for dealing with his cases, as he already knew that I will reply in the negative. So, I will only give legal advice and counseling as the tasks of probing and investigation into what Nazar unveils, will be later handled by the law enforcers," he remarked. Yusril, who was also the former minister and state secretary, explained that as a citizen he is obliged to help someone seeking to unveil a crime. "Hopefully, the advice he offers will be helpful in enforcing the law and eradicating corruption in the country," he stated. (*)