KPK closes in on Anggito

JAKARTA. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has stepped up its probe into the possible role played by the Religious Affairs Ministry’s director general for the haj and umrah (minor pilgrimage), Anggito Abimanyu, concerning the alleged irregularities during the 2012-2013 haj program.

KPK investigators confiscated late on Friday a number of documents from Anggito’s office, lending credence to speculation that he will soon follow Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali by being named a suspect in the case.

The ministry confirmed on Sunday that the KPK was seeking more evidence in the case.

“The KPK investigators also seized a laptop and a cell phone [from Anggito’s office],” Religious Affairs Ministry inspector general M. Jasin told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Jasin, who is a former KPK commissioner, added that the irregularities being investigated by the KPK took place after Anggito assumed leadership of the directorate.

The KPK has already named Suryadharma a suspect for abusing his power by flying dozens of people, allegedly his relatives, ministry colleagues and lawmakers at the House of Representatives whose names were falsely registered as Indonesian Haj Organizing Committee (PPHI) representatives, to join him on a haj pilgrimage using state budget funds.

When asked if the departures of “Suryadharma’s associates” would have required Anggito’s approval, Jasin said that all PPHI members had to meet the requirements set by Anggito’s office, implying that the falsifying of their identities as PPHI representatives had to have been carried out with Anggito’s knowledge.

“It is not within my authority to say whether he [Anggito] had any knowledge of this. That authority lies with the KPK,” Jasin said, adding that the number of documents seized Friday by the KPK from several offices at the ministry totaled around 300.

Suryadharma, who is also chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), together with 35 lawmakers whose names were reportedly given as being among Suryadharma’s haj entourage, have been quick to deny the KPK’s allegations.

“There was never any such thing” Suryadharma said on Friday.

Meanwhile, PPP lawmaker Reni Marlinawati also denied that she and her husband had gone on the haj for free, but acknowledged that she was on the same flight as Suryadharma en route to Saudi Arabia. “You can check with the travel agent who arranged our tour,” she said.

However, Jasin said the KPK had acquired all the data on the source of the funds that financed the trip, and that “the KPK will reveal the source of funding later, during the trial”.

He added that according to the law, all expenses for PPHI members going on a haj were paid for by the government with state budget funds.

“Committee members have to undertake a number of tests and are required to work 70 days in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Contacted separately, KPK spokesman Johan Budi confirmed that the commission had confiscated documents from Anggito’s office. He said the confiscation was important to expedite the KPK’s investigation into the haj program.

Johan added that if KPK investigators uncovered two or more pieces of evidence pointing to the involvement of other parties, including Anggito, they would also be named suspects.

“It depends on how strong the evidence is,” Johan said.

Meanwhile, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) said Sunday that it had given the KPK its analysis of financial records concerning Suryadharma, several Religious Affairs Ministry officials and a number of lawmakers, who allegedly had a hand in the haj program irregularities.

“We sent our analysis of their financial records [to the KPK] two weeks ago,” PPATK deputy chairman Agus Santoso told the Post on Sunday.

Anggito, who has been questioned by the KPK in the case, could not be reached on Sunday for comment. (Haeril Halim)