I was questioned as a witness since 10.00 in the morning."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Police began probing into alleged political meetings between Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Abraham Samad with leaders of political parties before the presidential election.

"I was questioned as a witness since 10.00 in the morning," Supriansyah said after his session with the investigators at the police headquarters here on Friday.

Supriansyah is the owner of a unit of an apartment tower The Capital Residence, SCBD, Jakarta, where the alleged meeting had taken place.

It is against KPKs strict ethical code not to have secret meetings with political or business leader.

Supriansyah said he knew Abraham Samad since 2000 when they were both anti-corruption activists in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

He said before the first meeting with the leaders of the ruling party PDIP, he met with Abraham at his apartment house.

Before leaving, Abraham asked for his permission to use the house for a meeting with a number of friends, Supriansyah said, adding that he gave his permission.

Supriansyah said at the meeting there were Hasto Kristiyanto and "if I am not mistaken there was also Tjahjo Kumolo" former secretary general of PDI-P, now Home Affairs Minister.

Earlier, Hasto, who is now acting secretary general of the party, accused Abraham of holding intensive meetings with leaders of both PDIP-P and Nasdem in seeking nomination as running mate of popular Joko Widodo (Jopkowi) in the presidential election.

"What was said in a newspaper article titled Green House of Abraham Samad was largely true," Hasto said in a news conference.

Abraham, however, had repeatedly denied the article as groundless and slanderous. The article said Abraham Samad held six meetings with a number of PDIP leaders before the 2014 election.

Hasto said he had no other motives than seeking to tell the truth.

"His (Abrahams) outright denial of the article prompted me to call this news conference to tell the truth," Hasto told reporters, adding his party knew nothing about his decision to blow out the story.

"It is my own initiative . I am alone responsible for what I am saying," he said.

In one of the meetings Abraham was accused of telling the PDIP leaders that he would "take care" of the legal case against Emir Moeis, a PDIP politician facing corruption charge, if he was named vice presidential candidate.

PDIP and other Jokowis supporting parties, however, decided to pick Jusuf Kalla, who is now Vice President.

Supriansyah said his apartment house was used two times for the meetings between March and April, 2014. The presidential election was held in July the same year.

"I dont know about other meetings," he said, adding, he did not know what the meeting were about.

Police began the investigation on report from a group of people they called KPK Watch Indonesia.

"KPK Watch reported that KPK chairman had held meetings with a number of political leaders," Executive Director of Police Criminal Detective Agency M. Yusuf Sahide said.

Yusuf said if the allegation is right , Abraham could be charged with a breach of KPK ethical code and law.

"That could hurt KPK and damage the public confidence in its reputation," he said.
(Uu.H-ASG/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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