KPK detains Indoguna boss in beef graft

JAKARTA. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Tuesday detained PT Indoguna Utama president director Maria Elizabeth, who has been named a suspect in a graft case linked to the government’s beef importation program.

“She’s being detained at Pondok Bambu Penitentiary for the first 20 days,” KPK spokesman Johan Budi said on Tuesday.

Maria was detained after being questioned for five hours by KPK investigators on Tuesday. “I was a victim of two people: Elda Adiningrat and Ahmad Fathanah. I have been victimized by brokers. I’m innocent,” she said before entering a police vehicle.

Maria is suspected of having lobbied former Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) chairman Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq to use his influence with Agriculture Minister Suswono, also of the PKS, to grant an import license to the company. Maria was introduced to Luthfi by Ahmad and Elda.

The Jakarta Corruption Court has convicted Ahmad and Luthfi and sentenced them to jail for their roles in the high-profile bribery case.