Not even the President can interfere: KPK chief

February 06, 2013, 03.29 PM | Reporter: Edy Can

ILUSTRASI. Waspadai Bahaya Mentega Bagi Kesehatan Tubuh

JAKARTA. Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief Abraham Samad emphasized on Wednesday that the anti-graft body is free from intrusion, including influence from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), who is also chief of the Democratic Party board of patrons.

Highlighting his commission's independence, Abraham ignored pressure from SBY as well as other Democratic Party's politicians who have been urging the KPK to clarify the alleged involvement of the party's chairman, Anas Urbaningrum, in a graft scandal surrounding the construction of a sports center in Hambalang, West Java.

"Our investigation into the scandal might implicate Anas. What we have been doing has nothing to do with calls from the President," Abraham told reporters on the sidelines of a hearing with members of the House of Representatives Commission III on law and human rights.

"We are still conducting a thorough investigation into the case. Whatever we have found so far will remain confidential until the due time," he added. (Margareth S. Aritonang/ The Jakarta Post)