Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has expressed regret over the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK's) move to impose an overseas travel ban on former law and human rights minister Yasonna Laoly.
Laoly, currently a national lawmaker representing the once-ruling party, served as justice minister under 7th President Joko Widodo's administration.
"We deeply regret this since there are no clear indications of Mr Yasonna being involved in this ongoing case," PDIP spokesman Chico Hakim stated while referring to a bribery case linked to the appointment of PDIP cadre Harun Masiku as legislator in the 2019 elections.
Speaking to the media in Jakarta on Thursday, Hakim reminded the KPK to stay true to its principle of professionalism and avoid being driven by political influences and pressure while investigating corruption cases in Indonesia.
The spokesperson, however, underscored that his party respects the legal proceedings Laoly and PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto undergo regarding the bribery case, in which the latter has been named a new suspect.
Earlier, on Wednesday (December 25), the KPK confirmed having issued a decree to hinder the two PDIP members from traveling abroad in the interest of further investigation into the electoral graft case.
Tessa Mahardhika, the spokesperson of the anti-graft institution, noted that the travel ban will be effective for the next six months.
Harun Masiku, who turned fugitive on January 17, 2020, has allegedly colluded with several other suspects to bribe a former General Election Commission (KPU) member, Wahyu Setiawan, to obtain a seat in the House of Representatives (DPR), replacing deceased elected legislator Nazarudin Kiemas.
As the bribery recipient, Setiawan was sentenced to seven years in prison. He has been released on parole after being incarcerated in a prison in Semarang, Central Java.
