I believe he will be cooperative. However, anybody who has been named a suspect is usually banned from travelling abroad
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) wants to impose an overseas travel ban on suspended president director of state electricity company (PT PLN) Sofyan Basir, although it believes he will cooperate during questioning.

"I believe he will cooperate. However, anybody who has been named a suspect is usually banned from travelling abroad," KPK Vice Chairman Laode Muhammad Syarif said here on Friday,

He said imposing an overseas travel ban on a suspect is the standard operating procedure in the anti-graft body as an anticipatory step to ensure the smooth investigation process.

Usually, the overseas travel ban is implemented in stages once every three months, he said, adding, "That is the normal process."

KPK implicated Basir for graft in the Riau-1 thermal power plant (PLTU) construction contract on Tuesday (Apr 23).

The anti-graft body has accused Basir of accepting a bribe from Blackgold Natural Resources shareholder Johannes Budisutrisno Kotjo in connection with a cooperation contract for constructing the PLTU Riau-1.

"The KPK has sufficient preliminary evidence on the alleged involvement of other parties in the alleged graft case related to a cooperation contract for constructing the PLTU Riau-1," KPK Deputy Chairman Saut Situmorang stated.

Basir has been accused of colluding with or assisting an expelled House Commission VII member of the Golkar Party, identified by her initials as EMS, and her colleagues in the alleged receipt of gratification or assurance from Kotjo over the cooperation contract.

The State Enterprises Ministry has suspended Basir as PLN president director after the KPK implicated him as a graft suspect in the Riau-1 thermal power plant (PLTU) construction contract.

"I have come to know of Basir's suspension by the PLN's board of commissioners. We currently await an official letter from the board of commissioners today," Imam Apriyanto Putro, the ministry's secretary, remarked here on Thursday.

Translator: AP Marboen, Zuhdiar, Suharto
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
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