"During the search, witnessed by a Constitutional Court (MK) official and staff members, some items believed to be narcotics were found. Our suspicions have not yet been confirmed," Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) spokesman Johan Budi said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Anti-graft agents discovered marijuana and ecstasy pills while collecting evidence on Thursday at the office of chief judge Akil Mochtar, who was recently named a suspect in a bribery case.

"During the search, witnessed by a Constitutional Court (MK) official and staff members, some items believed to be narcotics were found. Our suspicions have not yet been confirmed," Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) spokesman Johan Budi said here on Friday.

He noted that the search had lasted almost nine hours from 5 p.m. on Thursday to 1:40 a.m. on Friday and was witnessed by MK officials, including the head of the MK Bureau of Protocol, an MK staff member, and an MK security official.

Johan remarked that since these suspicious items fell outside the KPK`s investigative authority, they had been handed over to MK chief security coordinator from the police Commissioner Edi Suyitno. The finding was listed in a report to the MK.

"Since the search team has found things that are not part of the KPK`s investigation, they have submitted these items, in front of witnesses, to MK chief security from the police Commissioner Edi Suyitno in the form of a report," Johan stated.

Johan could not say exactly where the items were found, remarking, "I have to ask the investigators about it."

It is rumored that aphrodisiacs were also found in the room, but Johan said he had no knowledge of this.

"What is certain is that some of the items we found are believed to be narcotics or illegal drugs. Aphrodisiacs, meanwhile, are not part of the KPK`s investigation, so you should check on that with the MK," he added.

More than 20 KPK agents were involved in the search at Akil Mochtar`s office as well as the offices of his secretary and adjutant on the 15th floor of the MK Building and that of an MK court secretariat on the 7th floor.

Regarding the money discovered in Akil Mochtar`s office, the KPK was unable to confirm any details.

Johan said the KPK could only acknowledge that a total value of Rp2.7 billion in dollar and rupiah currencies had been confiscated following the KPK`s search of Akil Mochtar`s official residence.

He also could not yet confirm whether the money was linked to any particular case.

"Whether it is bribe money or not, let us just wait for further investigation," he noted.

Akil Mochtar has been named a suspect in a bribery case linked to disputes over the Gunung Mas district head`s election in Central Kalimantan and the Lebak district head`s election in Banten province in West Java.

He was caught red-handed at his official residence in the Widya Chandra housing complex along with Chairun Nisa, a parliamentary member from the Golkar Party, and Cornelis Nhalau, a businessman.

The KPK has named six suspects in connection with election disputes in Gunung Mas and Lebak.

They suspect Akil Mochtar and Chairun Nisa of having received bribes and Hambit Bintih and Cornelis Nhalau of having paid bribes.

US$264,050 and US$22 thousand, or Rp3 billion, worth of cash placed in several envelopes have been confiscated in connection with the alleged bribery case.

Apart from Akil Mochtar, other suspects in the bribery case linked to the Lebak district head`s election dispute are Tubagus Cheary Wardana, alias Wawan, who is also the younger brother of Banten governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah and husband of South Tangeran mayor Airin Rachmi Diany, and his friends. Bribe money worth Rp1 billion was divided into Rp100 thousand and Rp50 thousand in cash and placed in a travel bag.

The police, meanwhile, have been summoned to the MK to take possession of the drugs found in Akil Mochtar`s office for further investigation.

"Yes, the police have coordinated with the KPK to follow up on the finding," Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Rikwanto stated.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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