"My job is to explain what the KPK needs to know."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Former Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Andi Alifian Mallarangeng has been complying with the summons of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as a witness.
He has served as a witness in the investigation into alleged corruption during the construction of the Hambalang sports training and education centre in West Java.
"I have complied with the summons of the KPK as a witness against suspect Deddy Kusdinar. My job is to explain what the KPK needs to know," he said after arriving at the KPK headquarters in Jakarta at 10 am on Friday.
Wearing a brown batik shirt and black pants, Andi was accompanied by his lawyers - Luhut Pangaribuan and Pontoh Harry - as well as his brother, Rizal Mallarangeng.
Andi also admitted that he was carrying documents that could help KPK uncover the case.
"Along with these, my brother and the Black Hawk team have brought additional materials to assist KPK in investigating this case. And for the technical things, please consult my lawyers," he stated.
Luhut said his client would cooperate with KPK by "explaining things to them as clearly as possible".
"He will provide all pieces of information that have been seen, heard or experienced. And then there is also the Black Hawk team that will independently collect data and thereby assist the KPK," he explained.
The KPK named Andi as a suspect in the Hambalang graft case on December 3 last year.
Andi and several other officials of the ministry were accused of abusing their powers, which caused the state losses of up to Rp246.6 billion.
If found guilty, they could be sentenced to 20 years in prison and be fined with up to Rp1 billion.
Besides Andi, KPK has also been summoning a parliament member of Commission X from Golkar Party, Muzakhir Kahar, for questioning in connection with the Hambalang corruption case corruption case, and also as a witness against Deddy.
In 2009, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs proposed a budget of Rp1,25 trillion for the construction of the project, but the budget was raised to Rp1,175 trillion by the Ministry of Finance.
Of the proposed budget of Rp1,175 trillion, the initial allocation of Rp275 billion got the required approval, while Rp125 billion was expected to be allocated in the 2012 state budget, and Rp150 billion was to be allocated through the revised 2012 state budget.
The budget was later increased to Rp2,500 trillion because of the procurement of goods and services.
A State Audit Board (BPK) investigative audit revealed that the Hambalang project caused the state losses of Rp243.6 billion.
(U.S038/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
