Sandiaga Dodges Summons, Asks to Reschedule Embezzlement Questioning
Jakarta. Sandiaga Uno — Anies Baswedan's running mate in the Jakarta gubernatorial election — has requested that his meeting with the Jakarta Police to explain his involvement in an embezzlement case be rescheduled until after the second round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election on April 19.
The Jakarta Police summoned him on Tuesday (21/03) to explain his involvement in an investigation relating to the alleged misappropriation of funds in a Rp 7 billion ($527,000) land transaction in 2012.
Businessman Djoni Hidayat and his lawyer, Fransiska Kumalawati Susilo, filed a report against Sandiaga and his business partner, Andreas Tjahjad, with the Jakarta Police on March 8.
Fransiska said Sandiaga and Andreas embezzled money when they sold land on Jalan Raya Curug in South Tangerang, Banten, in 2012.
He has denied any wrongdoing and according to a statement issued by Sandiaga's legal counsel, the case was a misunderstanding between two friends due to political differences.
Sandiaga has tried to talk his way out of it, saying that it was not a formal notice to appear and merely a request to assist in the investigation process.
"I was asked to clarify my involvement in the matter. I have already given my explanation [to the police] and also said that I have a busy schedule until April 19," Sandiaga said on Sunday.
Sandiaga has instructed his legal counsel to request for the meeting to be rescheduled until after the election.
"According to our legal counsel, there is no urgency to meet with the police at this time," Sandiaga added. “We will wait for the police to grant our request."
On Saturday, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. M. Iriawan said that the police will issue a second summons and use necessary force if Sandiaga fails to comply, although did not say whether such force would amount to an arrest.
Sandiaga was also questioned by the Tanah Abang Police on Friday over allegations of defamation. At the time, he told reporters that the accusations were also based on a mere misunderstanding.
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