JAKARTA. Former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar has rejected being questioned by the Constitutional Court’s ethics council over graft allegations because it would be conducted behind closed doors. Akil also reasoned it was unnecessary as he had resigned from the court.“We can’t grant Akil’s proposal for an open investigation and that is why he ultimately rejected the probe,” council speaker Harjono said on Friday.Bagir Manan, a council member, said the council would still be able to investigate Akil without him being physically present, pointing out that Akil would therefore lose the opportunity to defend himself and his work during his short tenure as Constitutional Court chief.Akil Mochtar was detained by Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators due to his alleged involvement in two bribery cases, the first involving the Gunung Mas regent and the other related to the Lebak regental election dispute.The KPK has also detained Gunung Mas Regent Hambit Bintih, lawyer Susi Tur Handayani, Golkar Party lawmaker Chairun Nisa, businessman Cornelis and Tubagus Chaeri Wardana alias Wawan, the sibling of Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah in connection to the case. (The Jakarta Post)
Akil rejects Constitutional Court ethics council
JAKARTA. Former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar has rejected being questioned by the Constitutional Court’s ethics council over graft allegations because it would be conducted behind closed doors. Akil also reasoned it was unnecessary as he had resigned from the court.“We can’t grant Akil’s proposal for an open investigation and that is why he ultimately rejected the probe,” council speaker Harjono said on Friday.Bagir Manan, a council member, said the council would still be able to investigate Akil without him being physically present, pointing out that Akil would therefore lose the opportunity to defend himself and his work during his short tenure as Constitutional Court chief.Akil Mochtar was detained by Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators due to his alleged involvement in two bribery cases, the first involving the Gunung Mas regent and the other related to the Lebak regental election dispute.The KPK has also detained Gunung Mas Regent Hambit Bintih, lawyer Susi Tur Handayani, Golkar Party lawmaker Chairun Nisa, businessman Cornelis and Tubagus Chaeri Wardana alias Wawan, the sibling of Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah in connection to the case. (The Jakarta Post)