JAKARTA. The chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Abraham Samad, has played down claims from the acting secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Hasto Kristiyanto, that he on several occasions met with party figures to lobby for the position of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s running mate in last July’s presidential election. Abraham denied Hasto’s claims, describing them as a “slander”.

“Further to the explanation given by Pak Abraham Samad regarding a number of meetings with several sides, supposedly in connection with Pak Abraham’s vice presidential bid at that time, we have to say that these statements are completely slanderous,” KPK deputy chairman for prevention affairs, Johan Budi Sapto Pribowo, said on Thursday.

Hasto had claimed in a press conference that Abraham had held several meetings with leading figures within the PDI-P and Nasdem Party, including a meeting at the Capital Residence Apartment in Sudirman Central Business District, in connection with Abaraham’s vice presidential bid.

The attack on Abraham comes after the KPK named police officer Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan a graft suspect last week, only a day before he underwent a confirmation hearing with the House’s Commission III overseeing legal affairs. Although Budi’s nomination was then approved by the House, President Jokowi decided to suspend his inauguration pending the commission’s investigation into his case.

Meanwhile, Johan added that KPK leaders had held a meeting to seek clarification from Abraham in accordance with the commission’s code of ethics.

He said that Abraham admitted to having attended several party meetings accompanied by other KPK leaders to unveil the commission’s anticorruption programs.

“The KPK is often invited to party meetings to talk about its anticorruption programs. Other leaders as well as the chairman take part; it cannot be denied that they met with party cadres,” Antara quoted Johan as saying.

Many voices have called on the KPK’s ethics council to probe the case to determine whether Abraham violated the commission’s code of ethics by attending party meetings.

Editor: Barratut Taqiyyah Rafie