Golkar to Provide Bengkulu Governor With Legal Aid Following Arrest
Jakarta. Golkar Party's central leadership board has instructed its Bengkulu branch and its legal division to assist party member Ridwan Mukti – the province's governor – following his arrest by the national antigraft agency in a sting operation on Tuesday (20/06).
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) also detained Ridwan's wife Lily Martiani Maddari and three other persons on bribery allegations.
"After I received the information and saw reports by several online media outlets, I immediately communicated with Bengkulu branch chairman Imron," Golkar secretary general Idrus Marham said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Idrus has instructed Imron to compile a report on the matter and assigned the party's legal division to assist.
"As usual, in accordance with party procedures, it is our duty to provide legal aid and ensure the process conducted by the KPK is based on available facts and that it is just," Idrus said.
He added that Golkar relies on the presumption of innocence in Ridwan's case.
"At the same time, we will honor the ongoing legal process, but we will also maintain the presumption of innocence principle," he said.
Azis Syamsuddin, chairman of Golkar's central leadership board, adopted a similar approach, saying that he will respect the legal process while also providing legal aid to Ridwan.
"We will see how the legal process progresses, because Golkar will surely provide legal aid," Azis said.
Golkar officials will only decide on Ridwan's party membership after the court's final verdict in the case.
"We still respect the rights of the alleged suspect," Azis said.
KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah has confirmed the arrests, while Ridwan, his wife and the three other persons were meanwhile brought to Jakarta.
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