Golkar Politician and Istiqlal Mosque Cleric Questioned Over Koran Procurement Fraud
Jakarta. Antigraft investigators are probing an alleged involvement of Golkar Party politician Priyo Budi Santoso and Istiqlal Mosque cleric Nasaruddin Umar in misappropriation of funds for the procurement of copies of the Koran.
Last month, the Golkar Party's youth wing chairman Fahd El Fouz was named a suspect in the case.
Zulkarnaen Djabar, a former lawmaker and member of House Commission VIII, which oversees religious affairs, and his son Dendy Prasetya Zulkarnaen were convicted for their involvement in the graft four years ago.
In a hearing, Zulkarnaen and Dendy revealed a wiretapped conversation between them and Fahd, who mentioned Priyo, a former deputy speaker of the House.
Last week, Priyo was questioned as witness by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
"We won't stop by naming just one suspect. We'll proceed with our investigation if we find sufficient evidence against other parties responsible," KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said at his office in Jakarta on Monday evening (15/05).
Investigators earlier found a note written by Fahd indicating that Priyo received 3.5 percent of the Rp 22 billion ($1.65 million) worth procurement ordered by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 2012, and 1 percent of the funds allocated to a computer laboratory project worth Rp 31.2 billion.
Fahd, who was questioned by KPK investigators on Monday, said the questioning was related to Priyo's involvement. "They were just asking about Priyo," he said at the KPK headquarters.
On the same day, investigators also questioned Nasaruddin, a former director general at the ministry, who reportedly had met with Fahd in relation to both projects.
"We're further investigating their conversations during the meetings," Febri said.
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