Anas’ wife questioned by KPK

JAKARTA. Athiyyah Laila, the wife of Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum, was being questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday over the construction of a Hambalang sports complex.

Athiyyah said she refused to explain her alleged role in the case, but claimed to have only followed the KPK’s summons to clarify matters related to PT Dutasari Citralaras, of which she was an executive in 2008.

Dutasari was allegedly enlisted as a sub-contractor, under state-owned construction firm PT Adhi Karya that managed the Rp 1.2 trillion (US$130.8 million) project in Hambalang.

"Just wait [until my session with KPK is over]," she said upon her arrival at the KPK building at 9.30 a.m. on Thursday.

She also declined to comment on whether she knew about the allegedly suspicious land certificate issued in the case.

Around 20 women from her Koran recital group came to give her support, and gave a white rose to Anas who accompanied her to the building.

While his wife was inside, Anas held a press conference in which he denied his wife’s alleged involvement in the case.

Former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin, himself a graft convict, previously claimed that a director of PT Duta Sari Citralaras, Mahfud Suroso, pocketed Rp 100 billion from Adhi Karya in exchange for winning the project’s tender.

Mahfud is reportedly a close friend of Anas. Anas would not confirm or deny the allegations. The KPK has not named a single suspect in the case, which occurred in 2010. (Ina Parlina/The Jakarta Post)