Athiyyah skips KPK questioning

JAKARTA. Athiyyah Laila, the wife of former Democratic Party chief Anas Urbaningrum, failed to answer a summons from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday.   

“Investigators received a letter saying that she is sick,” KPK spokesman Johan Budi said on Monday, adding that his agency would reschedule her questioning for a date in the near future.

The KPK summoned Athiyyah in connection to the ongoing investigation into the graft-ridden construction of the Hambalang sports complex in Bogor, West Java.

She will be questioned as a witness to Machfud Suroso, the former president director of PT Dutasari Citralaras, who was recently charged in the case. Athiyyah is a former commissioner and shareholder in the company.

The anti-graft agency recently raided Anas’ and Athiyyah’s house and confiscated several items, including Rp 1 billion (US$86,058). “We will ask her to clarify our findings,” Johan said.

Anas, who has also been named a suspect in the case, reportedly asked former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin to give the project to PT Adhi Karya, which later subcontracted the project to Mahfud’s company.

Anas has repeatedly denied the accusation and has insisted that both he and his wife had nothing to do with the case. Several witnesses, including former Adhi Karya director Teuku Bagus Mohammad Noor, claimed that Anas also received money from rigging the Hambalang project.

It is alleged that Anas used the money to finance his bid to win the Democratic Party’s leadership in 2010. (