TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is reported to have frozen the bank account owned by the House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Setya Novanto and his family.

The account freeze is related to KPK’s current investigation on Setya Novanto regarding his suspected involvement in the electronic ID card or e-KTP graft.

“It has been blocked since last year,” said Setya’s lawyer Fredrich Yunadi at the KPK headquarters on Monday, November 27. Fredrich demanded KPK to provide an explanation for the account freeze.

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Indonesia Corruption Watch's investigation coordinator Febri Hendri said that he supports KPK’s move. He reasons that it is essential to secure evidence. Other than that, he suspects that Setya Novanto might potentially use his bank account to launder money implicated in the e-KTP case. Fredrich did not provide any response to money laundering allegations.

Meanwhile, Setya Novanto’s family is also said to be involved in the e-KTP case to a certain level. During the court hearing in November, suspect Andi Narogong suggested that Setya’s family has a 42 percent control over the stocks of a company involved in the e-KTP graft, Murakabi Sejahtera.

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Murakabi Sejahtera operates under another company called Mondialindo Graha Perdana, where 50 percent of its shares are owned by Setya Novanto’s wife, Deisti Astriani Tagor, and 30 percent is owned by Setya Novanto’s son, Reza Herwindo. Meanwhile, Setya’s daughter Dwina Michaela is the commissioner for Murakabi since 2011.

Deisti has also been barred from traveling overseas by KPK. Setya Novanto denies he is involved in the nepotism of Murakabi.

MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI