TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Presidential Palace’s spokeswoman on legal issues, Dini Purwono, said his office is investigating the conflicting information regarding the whereabouts of PDIP politician, Harun Masiku.

Harun Masiku has been named a suspect in the bribery case involving General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner Wahyu Setiawan.

“We are investigating it and it’s still being discussed among our internal group. We are searching for answers on why there were conflicting statements [about Harun’s whereabouts],” said Dini Purwono in a text message to Tempo on Wednesday, January 22.

The whereabouts of the bribery suspect came to light after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation and arrested Wahyu Setiawan. On the same day of the sting, KPK failed to apprehend Harun.

The Law and Human Rights Ministry’s directorate-general of immigration claimed Harun had been in Singapore since January 6. However, Tempo’s independent investigation found that Harun had already returned to Indonesia the day after.

As Tempo searched for clarification from the Law and Human Rights Minister, Yasonna Laoly, he was adamant that Harun Masiku had yet returned to Indonesia while KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri claimed he did not know anything about Harun’s whereabouts.

Most recent information came from Harun’s wife, Hildawati Jamrin, who confirmed that her husband had returned to Indonesia since January 7. The immigration office eventually rectified its statement.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI