KPK blasted for denying condolence visit

JAKARTA. Adnan Buyung Nasution, the lawyer of bribery suspect Tubagus “Wawan” Chaeri Wardana, blasted the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday for not allowing his client to pay his last respects to a dead family member.

The KPK did not give the go-ahead for Wawan to attend the funeral of his brother-in-law, Golkar Party lawmaker Hikmat Tomet, the husband of Banten Governor Ratu Atut Choisyah, who died on Saturday. “I have filed a complaint with the leaders of the KPK for this inhumane practice. This is an example of the arrogance of power,” said Adnan, a former prominent human rights campaigner.

Wawan, who is currently being detained by the KPK, has been accused of paying Rp 1 billion (US$87,000) in bribes to former Constitutional Court chief Justice Akil Mochtar. Adnan accused the KPK leadership of being insensitive.

“His family expected him to come to pay a last tribute to his sister’s husband [on Sunday], but the KPK did not allow him. It was inappropriate. Where was their sensibility?” Adnan said.

Responding to the attack, KPK spokesman Johan Budi said the warden of the KPK detention center rejected the request for security concerns and because the dead family member was not a blood relative.