Akil Mochtar Turns To Home Province For Moral Support

Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Oct 16 (Antara) - Suspended Constitutional Court Chief Justice Akil Mochtar, who has been named a suspect in an alleged bribery case, has appealed to people from his home province of West Kalimantan for moral support. "He has also offered an apology to the people of West Kalimantan," said Mochtar`s lawyer Tamsil Syukur in a press statement here on Wednesday. Tamsil said Akil`s alleged involvement was accidental and he was ready to take responsibility for it. "The impression so far has been that Akil Mochtar was caught red-handed. The fact is (it did) not (happen) like that," he added. Akil has demanded an open investigation into the case by the Ethics Council on the lines of the one conducted for his close associates, stated Tamsil. "Akil also hopes he will be examined by the Ethics Council openly before the mass media soon," he said. "So far, only Akil`s close associates have been examined. He hopes it will be his turn next so the people of the country can know, hear, and understand his explanation. This will ensure information is not one-sided," he explained. So far people have heard about the case only from one side, namely Akil`s close associates, Tamsil added. "In the examination, Akil will reveal everything," he said. On October 2, Akil Mochtar was caught by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at his official residence in Jakarta for allegedly receiving a bribe in connection with a dispute over the result of the election of the district head of Gunung Mas in Central Kalimantan.