TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) has examined a number of witnesses in the alleged money politics committed by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan. The agency’s Bangkalan, East Java office was still investigating the case.

“[We are] still collecting evidence,” said the Bawaslu member Rahmat Bagja in a phone call with Tempo on Thursday, April 11.

According to Bagja, his side would possibly summon Luhut for a statement on the video footage displaying him giving money to an Islamic scholar or Kiai. “If necessary, we will ask for his clarification,” Bagja added.

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On April 5, 2019, Bawaslu received a report related to viral video footage showing Luhut Pandjaitan giving an envelope during his visit to an Islamic boarding school in Bangkalan. The report with a registration number 43/LP/PP/RI/00.00/IV/2019 filed by the Advocate Cinta Tanah Air (ACTA).

ACTA suspected the coordinating minister gave money to Kiai Zubair Muntasor to ask for support for the incumbent candidate Joko Widodo or Jokowi - Ma’ruf Amin in the upcoming presidential election.

Luhut Pandjaitan had earlier made a clarification and asserted his visit was aimed at extending silaturahmi (Islamic brotherhood). “I lament people saying there was a buying and selling votes (money politics) in the meeting. For me, it is vile slander that tarnishes the reputation of KH. Zubair Muntasor and his Islamic school,” said Luhur in a written statement.

IRSYAN HASYIM (CONTRIBUTOR)