KPK Bans Sports Minister From Traveling Abroad

Jakarta, Dec 7 (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has asked for an overseas travel ban for Sports Minister Andy Mallarangeng in connection with its investigation of a corruption case in the Hambalang sports complex project. "It is true KPK has sent a letter to the director general of immigration of the ministry of justice and human rights number 4569/01/23/21/2012 dated December 3 to ask for a travel ban for AAM, AZM and MAT from PT AK," KPK deputy chief commissioner Bambang Widjojanto said here on Thursday. AAM are initials for Andi Mallarangeng, the sports minister, while AZM for Andi Zulkarnain Mallarangeng, the minister`s brother, and MAT for M Arief Taufiqurahman who was head of construction division of PT Adhi Karya. "KPK is now conducting an investigation into a corruption case linked to the procurement of Hambalang sports facilities for the year of 2010-2011 committed by suspect, Andi Alfian Mallarangeng, as sports minister/user of budget in the sports ministry and friends as meant by Article 2 paragraph 1 and Article 3 of Law Number 39 of 1999 on corruption and for the purpose of the investigation we request your help to prevent or ban three persons namely AAM, AZM and MAt, Xconcerned to travel abroad," the letter states. "The ban is usually for six months," Bambang said. Bambang assured there would be no dispensation for Andi although he is now a cabinet minister. Since August 2011 KPK has only named one suspect in the case namely Deddy Kusdinar now head of finance and household of the ministry of sports. The chief of the State Audit Board, Hadi Purnomo, said on October 21 the loss suffered by the state in the case was Rp246.6 billion. KPK banned the president director of PT Global Daya Manunggal, Nany Meilana Ruslie, in November, in connection with the case. It has also banned Aman Satoso, the director of PT Ciriajasa Cipta Mandiri, Yudi Wahyono, the director of PT Yodha Karya and Lisa Lukitawati, the director of PT CV Refia Media.