Choel Mallarangeng Demanded Bribes: Witness
Jakarta. Andi Zulkarnain Anwar, a brother of former sports minister Andi Mallarangeng, demanded kickbacks from the Ministry of Sports, which allotted $187 million to construct the now-abandoned Hambalang Sports Center in Bogor, West Java, a witness said at the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday (27/04).
Former Sports Ministry secretary Wafid Muharam said that Andi, commonly referred to as Choel Mallarangeng, tried to persuade ministry officials to grant a subcontract for the development of the sports complex to local building company Global Daya Manunggal in 2010.
"Choel asked for a 15 percent fee," Wafid said.
According to Wafid, Choel's request was first delivered to Deddy Kusdinar, head of the financial bureau at the ministry.
At the time, Wafid said he planned to approve Choel's demands with the assistance of the former treasurer of the Democratic Party, Nazaruddin.
"Nazaruddin promised to assist with securing land certificates [procurement] and funds," Wafid admitted.
Earlier, prosecutors read out the charges against Choel, stating that he engaged in graft and abused his power, causing Indonesian taxpayers lose Rp 464.30 billion ($35 million).
Choel claimed that his brother Andi did not receive any funds from the project and reiterated that he alone is guilty of graft.
Both Choel and Andi allegedly received $839,000 from Global Daya Manunggal.
Wafid said he met with Choel several times to discuss the Hambalang project. Those meetings are believed to have been attended by other suspects, including Nazaruddin, Mindo Rosalina Manulang and Angelina Sondakh.
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