TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Anas Urbaningrum had requested Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and his son, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas), to step up as witnesses to lighten the corruption case that is obstructing him. "I think, Mr SBY and Ibas should really be summoned as witnesses," said the former Democratic Party chairman after he was examined by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Friday, April 11.
According to Anas' lawyer, Firman Wijaya, their testimonies are required because they know well of his involvement in the Hambalang graft case. According to Firman, SBY had given him Rp250 million as a form of gratitude because he had successfully helped the president in the 2009 General Election.
Rp200 million from the money, he said, became the advance payment for Anas' purchase of Toyota Harrier. Ibas fully understands of what was happening at the Democrat Congress, because he was the head of the Steering Committee during that event.
Anas had been detained at the KPK's detention since January 10. He had become a suspect for three gratification cases, which are the Hambalang project, the vaccines procurement at PT Bio Farma Bandung, and the development of health laboratories at Airlangga University. The KPK suspected Anas to utilize the money from PT Adhi Karya, contractor of the Hambalang project, to purchase a luxury car. Recently, he has also been suspected of money laundering.
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