TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Setya Novanto has been one of the most talked about lately ahead of the trial for alleged graft in the electronic identity card or e-KTP project. Reports said that Setya had arranged the project from its deliberation to implementation. The Golkar Party chairman expects that the reading of indictment today would not result in political unrest as prominent officials were said to be named in the indictment. “I have seen the names that we already know. I feel sorry,” he said during his visit to Tempo building on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Read the interview with Setya Novanto below.

Have you read the indictment in the e-KTP case?

I was handed two sheets, I read it. I just prayed.

Can you recall what the nature of the e-KTP project was?

I was the chairman of Golkar faction [at the House of Representatives/DPR]. As the chairman of the faction, I only received monthly reports from eleven commissions at the DPR and other agencies, including the Governance Commission who submitted the reports on the e-KTP project. So long as it’s conducted in the interest of the nation and the people, I think it’s good.

Was there any problem?

Budget problems. But I left it to the Governance Commission. Because each commission has a member who was also a member of the Budget Body and [any issue] would have been brought to the Budget Body. So, I was not involved in budget arrangements.

Still, the issue was being reported to you, right?

I have said it before, the issue was being discussed in a plenary session. But I have explained it before, I was not involved in the issue.

A Golkar official said that there was a special meeting on the project held by Golkar faction, particularly with Andi Narogong…

May I ask you where did you get the information? If indeed from Golkar official, I’m curious, since I’m the current chairman. I think you can ask Andi.

So you do know Andi, don’t you?

I do, I had to purchase shirts as Golkar planned to hold an event that needed particular dress code. But it was cancelled as the offer was too expensive. I was the treasurer of Golkar.

As Golkar treasurer, weren’t you tasked with sourcing funds from the state budget (APBN)?

You can’t do that. Golkar members were well resourced. We had businessmen and always sought for donation.

How many times have you been questioned over the case?

Twice.

Have you been introduced to the suspects in this case, Irman or Sugiharto?

I have and I said that I didn’t know them.

How can people make contradictory statements that matched?

It’s difficult to answer. We’ll see what happens in court.

Reports said that Golkar received Rp150 billion

In the name of Allah, in the name of God, no. (rising his hands)

Was it normal, Rp2.55 trillion was embezzled from the Rp5.9 trillion project?

I have no idea. How can you put the money? You could put them into a whole building.

At the DPR, it seemed that the project was arranged by Golkar.

I have never heard of it. There was not red, green. Proposal process must be taken to a plenary session.

HUSSEIN ABRI | SUNUDYANTORO