JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Anas Urbaningrum, graft suspect and the ousted Chairman of President SBY’s Democratic Party, is scheduled to be questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Friday (Jan. 17) related to the investigation into graft scandal of the controversial Rp2.5 trillion Hambalang sport center project. Today, Anas is also expected to launch his new book.
The Friday’s questioning is the first for Anas as suspect in the case and after being arrested by KPK last week.
KPK’s Spokesperson Johan Budi Sapto Prabowo has confirmed that Anas will be accompanied by his lawyer during the questioning session.
Anas’ lawyer Firman Wijaya revealed that his client has proposed himself to KPK as “a justice collaborator”. The request of becoming “a justice collaborator” might help Anas in lightening his upcoming prison sentence.
That being said, the request has triggered speculation that Anas would open “the Pandora Box” and reveal important informations to KPK which might drag down other names into KPK’s investigation.
As reported earlier, Anas himself, just after being named as suspect by KPK last year, had already said “this is just the first page of an interesting book to read”.
Furthermore, in an interview with RCTI in February 2013, Anas hinted the possibility of revealing the role of President SBY’s youngest son, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas), in the Hambalang case.
In the interview session, Anas advised the public to confirm Ibas’ involvement in Hambalang project to Amir Syamsuddin (one Democratic Party key leader and Minister of Law).
Anas at that time said that he would explain what he meant if Amir were to hesitate from confirming Ibas’ involvement.
Ibas, meanwhile, has denied all allegations against him, including accusation that he received US$200,000 as a fee from Hambalang project as accused by Yulianis (former Vice Director of Finance at Permai Group, a company owned by former Democratic Party Treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin).
In a related progress, the Indonesian Movement Organization (PPI), a mass organization founded by Anas as a tool for his loyalists, as scheduled to launch Anas’ new book titled “Janji Kebangsaan Kita” or “Our Nationality Promise”.
The launching ceremony will take place at PPI’s headquarter at Jalan Teluk Langsa G7, Duren Sawit, East Java. The PPI would also read Anas’ letter in the event which definitely would not be attended by Anas.(haryantos@yosefardi.biz)