TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed the suspected illicit financial flow to former Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi during a preliminary hearing at South Jakarta District Court today.

The anti-graft body suspected Imam received the bribe funds through former badminton star Taufik Hidayat.

“On January 12, 2017, Taufik Hidayat received a bribe of Rp800 million for handling a criminal case incriminating Syamsul Arifin or defender’s (Imam) brother in a law enforcement institution,” said the legal bureau team member at the court, Tuesday, November 5.

Imam was also suspected to receive Rp1 billion bribe related to the national sports program dubbed Satlak Prima at the end of 2017. The money was allegedly picked up by his personal assistant Miftahul Ulum in Taufik Hidayat’s house.

In this case, KPK named Imam and Miftahul Ulum suspects in bribery and gratifications in the Youth and Sports Ministry. The anti-graft body suspected Imam received Rp26.5 billion throughout 2014-2018. Some of the money was delivered by Ulum.

The bribe money also allegedly came from the disbursement of the National Sports Committee or KONI's grant funds in the 2018 fiscal year.

Taufik Hidayat had been examined in this case as he served as the deputy head of Satlak Prima in the 2016-2017 period. He was also the ministry’s special staffer member in 2017-2018.

After underwent the investigation, Taufik claimed he was grilled about his tasks at the ministry and no questions about the KONI graft case were brought up.

Previously, Imam Nahrawi denied the allegation that he received Rp1.5 billion in the KONI graft case. “I will make sure that I am not involved,” said Imam in his office, South Jakarta, March 22.

M ROSSENO AJI