MAKASSAR. The Golkar Party's deputy chairman, Agung Laksono, said the bribery allegations against Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah would not significantly affect the party’s image.

“It may have some impact but it will be limited to the local level in Banten,” Agung said on the sidelines of celebrations marking National Social Solidarity Day in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Saturday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Agung, who is also the coordinating people’s welfare minister, said the corruption case implicating Atut was a problem that affected her personally, as the province's governor, not the party.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Atut a suspect in a bribery case involving former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar, for which she is currently being detained at the Pondok Bambu Penitentiary in East Jakarta.

The antigraft body has also named Atut a suspect in a case concerning the procurement of medical equipment in Banten.

Agung gave his assuarances that Golkar would not intervene in the legal process surrounding the case as long as it was not politicized.

 “We trust that the KPK will be professional and not use the existing situation for its own purposes,” said Agung.

He added that Golkar would be offering Atut legal assistance and said that she remained a member of the party.

 “Atut will not be thrown out of the party, but she will be dismissed as one of the party’s officials if she is found guilty. First, though, we have to respect the principle of the presumption of innocence,” he said. (The Jakarta Post)

Editor: Asnil Amri