TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Novel Baswedan, chief of the taskforce set up by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to investigate a graft case surrounding the electronic identity cards (e-KTP) procurement, revealed that Miryam S. Haryani, one of the witnesses, was threatened by her former colleagues at the House of Representatives (DPR) before attending KPK interrogation session on Thursday, March 30, 2017.

"During the interrogation, Miryam said that she was informed by her fellow lawmakers a month before the summons that she was going to be summoned [by the KPK]. She was demanded by Commission III of the DPR not to admit the fact that she was distributing money. If she confessed, she was threatened with imprisonment," Novel said before the panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday, March 30, 2017.

Novel added that Miryam mentioned six lawmakers who had threatened her. Four of them were Aziz Syamsuddin, Desmon Mahesa, Masinton Pasaribu, and Syarifudin Suding.

"I knew another one from the media, which is Bambang Soesatyo, who was allegedly one of the persons who threatened the witness. I can't recall the other one," Novel explained.

Novel suggested Miryam not to be afraid of the threat. Novel gave his cellphone number to Miryam so that she can immediately report it to the police. In addition, Novel went on, the KPK suggested Miryam to get protections from the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK).

"But Miryam refused because she thought that it wasn't necessary," Novel explained.

During the previous trial, Miryam revealed to the panel of judges that her testimonies provided to KPK investigators were false. Miryam said that she was pressured by investigators during interrogations.

Miryam's record of deposition contained a confirmation that there were funds distributed to House’s Commission II members. Miryam, who distributed the funds, said that she also enjoyed the money. In the indictments against Irman and Sugiharto, Miryam received USD 23,000.

Novel asked Miryam to return the money, but she rejected the idea fearing of retaliation from her fellow lawmakers.

MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI