TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bank Jawa Barat Banten (BJB) embezzlement suspect Yudi Setiawan failed to appear at the Anti-corruption court (Tipikor) to testify against Ahmad Fathanah, the imported beef graft and money laundering suspect. The reason for his cancelation, he said, is due to security situation.
"I was already at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)'s office. My wife was taken into custody by the Police Force and Densus 88 for money laundering case. Due to my family security reason, I cannot testify," said Prosecutor Rini Triningsih upon reading Yudi's letter of abscense.
Yudi requested for a two-week preparation for his testimony. He said he is currently collecting evidence seized by the Police. "After September 24, I would have been mentally and physically ready," he said.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Chairman Anis Matta has also failed to testify due to his active duty at the party until the end of this month. Chief Judge Nawawi Pomolango reminded the prosecutors to present the witnesses since the judges have just extended Fathanah's detention duration.
The linkage of Anis and Yudi has been described in Fathanah's charges. The prosecutors named Yudi and the former PKS chairman Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, to have planned earning Rp2 trillion to meet PKS's target at the 2014 Presidential Election.
The money was supposedly earned from several projects in three ministries, all which chaired by PKS's cadres, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry or Social Affairs and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. In the masterplan, Fathanah acted as the mediator between Yudi and Lutfi.
NUR ALFIYAH