JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Dangdut singer Rya Fitria admitted flow of funds from graft suspect Akil Mochtar, but denied the funds are a part of money laundering committed by the dismissed Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.
Rya said firmly that the money received from Akil was a payment for performances in several events conducted by Golkar Party. According to Rya, she met Akil since 2007 when she performed in Golkar’s Party’s event in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.
Rya does not admit that she has a special relationship with Akil as she also knows other figures such as Akbar Tandjung, Aburizal Bakrie, some regents and politicians from Golkar Party.
Akil’s lawyer Otto Hasibuan also confirmed that the money given by his client to Rya was a payment for Rya’s performances in Akil’s West Kalimantan gubernatorial campaign back in 2007.
Akil Mochtar has facing graft and money laundering charges. He has been named as suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) related to the graft case in handling of post-election disputes in Lebak regency (Banten) and Gunung Mas regency (Central Kalimantan).
While facing graft and money laundering charges, Akil is also facing drugs charges. Akil was plunged into deeper disgrace as DNA test conducted by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) confirmed Akil’s DNA with marijuana found from a raid at Akil’s office. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)