Ex Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng Arrested
Former Youth and Sport Minister Andi Alfian Mallarangeng was detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday over the Hambalang sports center case.
Andi arrived at the KPK at 10 a.m. and was questioned by antigraft investigators for six hours. He was seen leaving the building at 4 p.m. wearing the orange jacket given to those arrested on corruption charges.
"Today I start my detention at the KPK," Andi said outside the antigraft agency's headquarters. "I accept this as a process to accelerate the investigation of this case. I expect this to be a fair trial at which the truth will be revealed — who's wrong and who's right. Thank you."
Andi was taken straight to a car and driven away by the KPK.
"After questioning [Andi] on Friday last week and today, KPK investigators have concluded that A.M. should be detained," KPK spokesman Johan Budi said. ""He is being charged with Article 2, Subarticle 1 as well as Article 3 of the 1999 Law No 31 [on Anti-Corruption]. The KPK will continue the investigation by questioning witnesses and suspects in connection with the corruption of the Hambalang project."
Andi's younger brother, Rizal Mallarangeng, said, however, that the KPK did not have sufficient evidence to press charges.
"The KPK has many achievements, but for me this is the first time the KPK is wrong," he said. "We uphold the law. We will prove in the court that Andi is innocent. How can you detain someone only based on someone's statement?"
Andi arrived outside the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for questioning on Thursday again maintaining that he was ready to be arrested by antigraft investigators.
"I've prepared my suitcase," he said, not for the first time, flanked by his legal counsel.
Questioning on Thursday focused on the allegations that he accepted kickbacks as part of the graft-ridden Hambalang sports center project in East Java.
The Hambalang center allegedly cost the state as much as Rp 471.7 billion ($42 million). So far, the KPK has named four suspects: Andi; former Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum; former state-owned construction firm director Teuku Bagus Mokhamad Noor; and former Youth and Sport Ministry financial controller Dedy Kusdinar.
Andi has consistently maintained that he played no part in Hambalang. He was questioned on Friday, with his suitcase in tow, but the former minister was not detained.
"I am always ready to follow procedure and KPK regulations," he said last week.
A source within the KPK told the Jakarta Globe earlier, however, that the commission would likely detain Andi on Thursday, because a sprinhan — a letter authorizing the arrest — had been signed by KPK chairman Abraham Samad on Wednesday.
Andi's detention has meant the other man arrested over Hambalang has been transferred away from KPK detention.
Former Youth and Sport Ministry financial controller Dedy Kusdinar has been moved to South Jakarta Police detention center.
"They are two suspects in the same case," Johan said. "The capacity of the KPK detention center is limited. Up until today, there were 13 detainees in KPK detention center."
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