KPK Targets Setya Novanto Using FBI Data from Johannes Marliem

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is set to work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in an attempt to reveal the role of Setya Novanto in the high-profile e-KTP graft case through Setya’s connection with Johannes Marliem. 

“We will continue to coordinate with the facts presented in the US court,” said KPK Spokesman Febri Diansyah on Thursday, October 5. 

The FBI recently probed the assets belonging to Director of Biomorf Lone Johannes Marliem who provided the e-KTP automatic fingerprint identification system. FBI’s investigation report was revealed in a session at the Minnesota Court back in September. 

Read: E - KTP Key Witness Johannes Marliem: I Have Risked My Life

FBI Special Agent Jonathan Holden, quoted from StarTribune and Wehoville, said that Biomorf received payment more than US$50 million as the e-KTP subcontractor. Part of the payment was sent to the private bank account of Johannes Marliem and received another US$13 million throughout July 2011 up to March 2014.

Based on the FBI investigation, Johannes Marliem spent his money to purchase a house, car, and a luxurious wristwatch. Marliem, during a meeting at an Indonesian Consulate in Los Angeles, said that he once bought a watch for Rp1.8 billion for Indonesia’s House of Representatives member, which is widely believed to be House Speaker Setya Novanto.

Read: Johannes Marliem, Key Witness in E-KTP Graft Case, Dead in U.S.

Johannes Marliem also claimed that he transferred US$700,000 to the bank account of Chairman of House of Representatives’ Commission II Chairuman Harahap. Although, his claims were denied by Chairuman during a court session held in September. 

An authority figure in Jakarta said that KPK will utilize every FBI findings to be used as new evidence, considering that it will be relevant to emphasize the involvement of Setya Novanto in the electronic ID or e-KTP graft case. 

FRANSISCO ROSARIANS | AGUNG S.