According to the state officials` wealth disclosure forms (LHKPN) that he submitted on September 4, 2012, Suryadharma said the total net value of his assets was Rp24 billion or that it increased by about Rp7 billion from his previous wealth disclosur
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators will trace the wealth of Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, who was named as a suspect in a corruption case linked to haj pilgrimage management, a KPK commissioner said.

"We are tracing (the suspects assets). We do it not by causing suspicion, but by referring to the state officials wealth disclosure forms (LHKPN)," Busyro Muqoddas told the press here on Friday.

According to the LHKPN that he submitted on September 4, 2012, Suryadharma Ali said the total net value of his assets was Rp24 billion or that it increased by about Rp7 billion from his previous wealth disclosure of Rp17 billion, he said.

Among the assets that he disclosed in his wealth report was a Honda Jazz mini-sedan. "That is why we need to confirm about this car. We are tracing the assets, such as property and vehicle," Busyro added.

The KPK investigators also referred to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK)s reports in tracing the suspects wealth, he said, adding that this can possibly end with money laundering charges.

Suryadharma Ali was named as a suspect on Thursday. He was charged with violating two articles in the anti-corruption law, KPK Commissioner Bambang Widjojanto said.

"He violated Article 2 and Article 3," Widjojanto added.

Article 2 paragraph 1 of the Law Number 31 of 1999 in conjunction with the Law Number 20 of 2001 says that if anyone amasses wealth for himself or others or a corporation by violating the law to harm the state and the states economy may be sentenced to a life in prison or a minimum of four years and a maximum of 20 years in jail, and fined a minimum of Rp200,000 and a maximum of Rp1 billion.

Article 2 paragraph 2 states that in the case of corruption crimes committed under certain conditions, a death penalty may be imposed, while Article 3 of the law states that if anyone seeks to benefit himself or others or a corporation by abusing his power, opportunity and means embedded in him because of his position or official status to harm the states finance or economy, he/she may be sentenced to a life in prison or a minimum of one year and a maximum of 20 years in jail, and fined a minimum of Rp50 million and a maximum of Rp1 billion.

In another development, Suryadharma Ali said he will not resign, although he had been named as a suspect. "Will I resign? I dont think so. I only think of how to organize the next haj pilgrimage and what steps I will take. I dont think of whether I will resign," he said at a press conference here on Friday.

Suryadharma Ali, who is also chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), considered the KPKs decision to name him a suspect in the alleged corruption case a "misunderstanding."

"I always pray that the decision to name me as a suspect will be just a misunderstanding," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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