The name Ali Masykur Musa, a member of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), has become tainted with the suspected fraud case involving Ferry Setiawan, Treasurer of the Nahdlatul Ulama Association of Academics (ISNU). He is rumored to have accepted billions of rupiah from Ferry.
Ali, who is the former National Awareness Party (PKB) faction chief at the House of Representatives (DPR) has also been summoned by the police, to clarify his links and that of his organization. Last week, Tempo reporters, Ahmad Nurhasim and Febriyan met Ali for an interview about the Ferry case.
Your name has been dragged down by the Ferry fraud case.
If I am asked whether I am acquainted with Ferry, I would say yes, he is a member of the ISNU committee. As for business, I know nothing of what he does and with whom he does business with. I am not involved in his business.
When did you first get to know Ferry?
I was in the same flight as he was in 2011. After that, we met at a number of Nahdlatul Ulama public events. Then there was the ISNU congress. Someone suggested he should be part of the team. So he became a member of the committee.
Did you recommend that Ferry become the ISNU treasurer?
It was a joint decision of the team tasked with forming the committee. It wasn't just me, but seven or nine other people. At that time, it was difficult to find people willing to be treasurer. In principle, whoever is willing to work, we welcome him or her.
You were not aware of Ferry's background?
After I was sworn in, my colleagues told me Ferry didn't have a good track record. Which is why Ferry's role at ISNU is not optimal, not central.
After that information from your colleagues, why didn't you just fire him?
I did. After Ferry became a suspect, our plenary session dismissed Ferry as treasurer, and fired him last week.
Yet you were a witness to Ferry's marriage. That means you two were quite close.
Yes, I was a witness as his wedding. In fact, I was the one who introduced Ferry to his wife, Eddies Adelia. That was my reward for finding him a mate.
The night after Ferry was arrested, you called Rizky, the ISNU deputy treasurer, to come to your house. What for?
I didn't know whether Rizky was involved or not. I don't even know what crime he's involved in. I was informed by Kholid, the ISNU secretary-general, that Ferry had been arrested after the Friday prayers. Reportedly, it had something to do with Rizky. Through Kholid, I asked to see him and he came that evening. I asked him, what his role was in the case and Rizky replied, "I am the one who was cheated by Ferry." That's what he claimed.
Three days after Ferry was arrested, you met the Jakarta police chief. What was the meeting about?
I don't remember that meeting. I do have contacts with him, but legally we are not in a position to be discussing this case.
You also asked secretary-general Kholid to meet Rizky at the detention center and to speak with investigators.
If he met with Rizky or the investigators, I don't know. There were no instructions. I defer that to the law enforcement agencies. I asked them to process the case properly.
One of the witnesses said Ferry had bragged that some Rp18 billion had gone to you.
Where did the money come from? Where was it kept? It would be easy for the police to trace it. If you want to know the cash flow from Ferry, go ahead and expose it. God Willing, there is no connection to me.
The money is believed to be your capital to take part in the Democrat Party's convention.
Ferry's contract with his partner was signed on July 2013. At that time, there were no signs I would join the convention or become some figure. Why is this now linked to my political path?
You are good with campaign slogans like the 'AMM a Dedicated Movement', which was featured as an ad on television and as billboards in a number of places. Where did you get the money?
I am chairman of ISNU. I have many volunteers and contributors. I have many friends. I don't know who installed those billboards. I was shocked to see such big billboards.
