ID :
16524
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 09:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/16524
The shortlink copeid
News Focus: AGUS CONDRO'S CONFESSION CAUSES SOME PEOPLE TO APPRECIATE, WHILE OTHERS FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE
Jakarta, Aug 20 (ANTARA) - Agus Condro, a former legislator, who had confessed to the Corruption Eradication Commission on Wednesday for having received a Rp500 million bribe from Bank Indonesia, had appreciation, while some others caused an uncomfortble feeling and restless.
Said Nizar, a legal observer and lucturer at the Hassanuddin University in Makassar, said by phone that he hailed the confession made by Agus Condro.
He was a former legislator of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle faction for 1999-2004 period who admitted on Wednesday to have received the money from Miranda Gultom for his success in making her become senior deputy governor of Bank Indonesia (Central Bank).
Agus' confession will be very helpful for the KPK to uncover the mystery behind the flow of BI fund to some legislators and lawyers.
During a press conference, Agus Condro said let Mr Tjahyo Kumolo (Chairman of PDI-P faction) and Mr Emir (Chairman of the House's Commission XI), Mr Didhi (Makmun Murod) and others refute it.
"The important thing for me is that I have been grilled by the KPK as witness in the corruption case involving Zeidra Abidin and Hamka Yandhu who had been declared as suspects in the alleged flow of fund from Bank Indonesia," he said.
"I have once also experienced as what the media has released in their report about Hamka Yandu (former legislator)," Agus said.
According to him, he received Rp500 million two days after his return from India. At that time, he was ordered to open the envelop in Emir Moeis' room.
"On the white envelop, AT was written. Inside the envelop there were ten travel cheques. Each travel checque had a value of Rp50 milion, so it was fair that all members of the faction got their share," Agus Condro said.
Then Agus also explained about two cars - a Mercidesbenz and Hyunday Trayet he bought with the money (Rp500 million) were also given to the KPK.
In response to Agus' confession Secretary of PDIP faction Ganjar Pranowo said it was too premature to judge the truth of the confession under the current circumstances.
It seemed this PDI-P legislator became little uncomfortable by Agus' confession which came under the spotlight of the media.
"It's too premature. On the one hand, whether Agus is right or not. On the other hand, the information is given to KPK when he was acting as a witness," Ganjar Pranowo said.
However, if Agus Condro's information was right, PDIP party would support him. But if the information is wrong, it is only a slander, said Ganjar who admitted he was shocked when the media has exaggerated the story.
Agus Condro said his colleages in the House each received about Rp500 million, including William Tutuarima, Budiningsih, Mateus Formes and Muhammad Iqbal.
The money was given after three weeks of Miranda's appointment as BI senior deputy governor. "This money is often regarded a reward for an understanding," he said.
Agus Condro said actually he intended to return the money a long time ago. He could only give the two cars to the KPK.
"If the two cars are not enough, I have an apartment. It could be confiscated. I still have the rest of the money, it will be returned," Agus said.
Agus' confession to KPK was not new. In fact, former Bank Indonesia head of communications bureau Rusli Simanjuntak said on Wednesday that it had been a custom for the bank to give money to members of the House of Representatives since the 1970s.
"It has been going on since the 1970s. It is a tradition," Rusli told the Corruption Court.
Rusli also said that if the BI embezzlement was not uncovered, the bank would continue giving the money. He, however, failed to clarify whether the central bank was asked by the lawmakers or took their own initiative.
During Wednesday's hearing, the court heard the case of the defendant, former BI governor Burhanudin Abdullah, who is charged with embezzling Rp 100 billion (US$11 million) in BI funds in 2003.
Rusli admitted giving a total of Rp 31.5 billion to Hamka Yandhu and Antony Zeidra Abidin, then members of House Commission IX on financial and banking affairs.
Rusli said he gave the money in five installments, each worth Rp 2 billion, Rp 5.5 billion, Rp 7.5 billion, Rp 7.5 billion and Rp 10.5 billion, to Antony and Hamka from June to December 2003.
"All were given without receipt," Rusli said.
In the meantime, Agus Condro's Wife Eli Matha said her husband was seen as a figure with strong stance in life, as he would never succumb to any threat he may face in the future.
"Whatever difficulties had to be faced, he will never break the law. But he will remain consistent with his commitment," said Eli Martha in response to her husband's confession.
"I am really proud of him. Agus Condro is a teacher, so that I often ask him about many things including his braveness to uncover the Rp500 million bribe," she said.
"We have discussed this case two years ago. But, having known the truth of the case I then gave him my support," she said.
According to her, up till now her family has not received any threat. If there is, it will never encourage her husband to divert the case which has befallen him and colleages in the House.
Said Nizar, a legal observer and lucturer at the Hassanuddin University in Makassar, said by phone that he hailed the confession made by Agus Condro.
He was a former legislator of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle faction for 1999-2004 period who admitted on Wednesday to have received the money from Miranda Gultom for his success in making her become senior deputy governor of Bank Indonesia (Central Bank).
Agus' confession will be very helpful for the KPK to uncover the mystery behind the flow of BI fund to some legislators and lawyers.
During a press conference, Agus Condro said let Mr Tjahyo Kumolo (Chairman of PDI-P faction) and Mr Emir (Chairman of the House's Commission XI), Mr Didhi (Makmun Murod) and others refute it.
"The important thing for me is that I have been grilled by the KPK as witness in the corruption case involving Zeidra Abidin and Hamka Yandhu who had been declared as suspects in the alleged flow of fund from Bank Indonesia," he said.
"I have once also experienced as what the media has released in their report about Hamka Yandu (former legislator)," Agus said.
According to him, he received Rp500 million two days after his return from India. At that time, he was ordered to open the envelop in Emir Moeis' room.
"On the white envelop, AT was written. Inside the envelop there were ten travel cheques. Each travel checque had a value of Rp50 milion, so it was fair that all members of the faction got their share," Agus Condro said.
Then Agus also explained about two cars - a Mercidesbenz and Hyunday Trayet he bought with the money (Rp500 million) were also given to the KPK.
In response to Agus' confession Secretary of PDIP faction Ganjar Pranowo said it was too premature to judge the truth of the confession under the current circumstances.
It seemed this PDI-P legislator became little uncomfortable by Agus' confession which came under the spotlight of the media.
"It's too premature. On the one hand, whether Agus is right or not. On the other hand, the information is given to KPK when he was acting as a witness," Ganjar Pranowo said.
However, if Agus Condro's information was right, PDIP party would support him. But if the information is wrong, it is only a slander, said Ganjar who admitted he was shocked when the media has exaggerated the story.
Agus Condro said his colleages in the House each received about Rp500 million, including William Tutuarima, Budiningsih, Mateus Formes and Muhammad Iqbal.
The money was given after three weeks of Miranda's appointment as BI senior deputy governor. "This money is often regarded a reward for an understanding," he said.
Agus Condro said actually he intended to return the money a long time ago. He could only give the two cars to the KPK.
"If the two cars are not enough, I have an apartment. It could be confiscated. I still have the rest of the money, it will be returned," Agus said.
Agus' confession to KPK was not new. In fact, former Bank Indonesia head of communications bureau Rusli Simanjuntak said on Wednesday that it had been a custom for the bank to give money to members of the House of Representatives since the 1970s.
"It has been going on since the 1970s. It is a tradition," Rusli told the Corruption Court.
Rusli also said that if the BI embezzlement was not uncovered, the bank would continue giving the money. He, however, failed to clarify whether the central bank was asked by the lawmakers or took their own initiative.
During Wednesday's hearing, the court heard the case of the defendant, former BI governor Burhanudin Abdullah, who is charged with embezzling Rp 100 billion (US$11 million) in BI funds in 2003.
Rusli admitted giving a total of Rp 31.5 billion to Hamka Yandhu and Antony Zeidra Abidin, then members of House Commission IX on financial and banking affairs.
Rusli said he gave the money in five installments, each worth Rp 2 billion, Rp 5.5 billion, Rp 7.5 billion, Rp 7.5 billion and Rp 10.5 billion, to Antony and Hamka from June to December 2003.
"All were given without receipt," Rusli said.
In the meantime, Agus Condro's Wife Eli Matha said her husband was seen as a figure with strong stance in life, as he would never succumb to any threat he may face in the future.
"Whatever difficulties had to be faced, he will never break the law. But he will remain consistent with his commitment," said Eli Martha in response to her husband's confession.
"I am really proud of him. Agus Condro is a teacher, so that I often ask him about many things including his braveness to uncover the Rp500 million bribe," she said.
"We have discussed this case two years ago. But, having known the truth of the case I then gave him my support," she said.
According to her, up till now her family has not received any threat. If there is, it will never encourage her husband to divert the case which has befallen him and colleages in the House.
