TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Police Department Public Relations director Sr. Comr. Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono said that police investigation is underway into money trail from Jakarta deputy governor candidate Silviana Murni’s husband, Gde Sardjana, to treason suspect Jamran.

Treason suspect Jamran was arrested with other individuals ahead of the December 2 rally. Sylviana is the running mate of Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Yudhoyono. The candidate pair campaign team had earlier dismissed a rumor saying that Jamran was part of the team.

Argo said that Gde transferred Rp25 million in installments to Jamran in November 2016. Having questioned Gde on December 30, police learned that the cash was used by Jamran to pay his wife’s medical bill. “The person in question said it was for treatment,” Argo said.

Gde had earlier been questioned on December 21. Agro said that police may summon Gde again if needed.

Met after being interrogated on Friday, December 30, Gde said that he did send Rp10 million to Jamran. He revealed that he only sent money to Jamran once. “Do you think I have a lot of money?” he said.

According to Gde, the money was sent to help with Jamran’s wife surgery costs. Gde also denied allegations that the cash transfer was linked to planned coup in early December. “I have never participated in any demonstration, there is no link,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sylviana Murni claimed that she was not aware of the alleged treason funding. “Jamran works for KONI [the Indonesian National Olympics Committee] and has no links [to treason plot] whatsoever and I have no knowledge [of the case],” she said.

Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni pair campaign team manager Nachrowi Ramli said that Jamran was not part of the team. According to Nachrowi, Jamran was only a volunteer for the candidate pair.

Nachrowi suspects that the rumor was disseminated to attack Agus and Sylviana pair. He, however, declined to name the perpetrator. “We expect others to respect the democratic process. Please avoid slandering others,” he said.

DEVY ERNIS | INGE KLARA | EGI ADYATAMA