Religious Affairs Minister Named Suspect in Corruption Case

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali was named as a suspect in a corruption case linked to hajj pilgrimage management.

He was charged with violating two articles in the anti-corruption law, the deputy chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Bambang Widjojanto, said in a text message received here on Thursday.

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

Article 2 paragraph 1 of the Law Number 30 of 199i in conjunction with the Law Number 20 of 2001 states that if anyone amasses wealth for himself or others or a corporation against 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.

Meanwhile, Article 2 paragraph 2 states that in the case of corruption crimes committed under certain conditions a death penalty may be imposed.

Article 3 of the law states 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 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.

KPKs deputy chairman Zukarnain said the religious affairs minister had been named as a suspect in connection with the 2012/2013 hajj pilgrimage program.

It is connected with all activities of the hajj pilgrimage, including accommodation, catering, transportation and others, he said, explaining the activities in the hajj pilgrimage program.

Zulkarnain said, "There were officials who went for pilgrimage using the hajj funds, while they should have paid for their pilgrimage by themselves."

He said KPK had yet to count the total loss suffered by the state in connection with the corruption case.

He said the naming of Suryadharma Ali as suspect was based on KPKs study.

"Of course, it has nothing to do with politics. We name someone as a suspect based on certain standards," he said.

Suryadharma Ali is currently also the general chairman of the United Development Party (PPP).

His case has been under judicial investigation, with he and his friends as suspects, another KPK deputy commissioner Busyro Muqqodas said in a text message to the press. (WDY)