JAKARTA. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned on Wednesday a number of Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry officials over alleged extortion orchestrated by former minister Jero Wacik, who stands accused of collecting illegal levies at the ministry between 2011 and 2013.

Jero, also a senior Democratic Party politician, has been accused of abusing his power by instructing his subordinates to collect around Rp 9.9 billion (US$838,000) in levies from illegal sources in the ministry to be used for his personal gain.

“They have been questioned to reveal alleged extortion practices allegedly committed by JW. We hope their testimonies will help uncover more evidence on the involvement of other parties in the case,” KPK spokesman Johan Budi said on Wednesday, referring to Jero by his initials.

Johan refused to reveal the information that KPK investigators had collected from ministry officials, who were questioned as witnesses in the case.

“I don’t know what the questioning was about because I’ve not talked to investigators about it yet,” Johan added.

KPK deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto earlier said that the illegal levies were collected from procurement-project kickbacks, marked- up ministry budgets and bogus programs handled by a number of divisions within the ministry.

Most of those questioned on Wednesday were the heads of divisions at the ministry.

The witnesses include the ministry’s legal affairs division head Susyanto; planning and cooperation division head Agus Sugiharto Haryono; former home affairs division head Arif Indarto; and public communications division head Dwi Purwanto.

The antigraft body also grilled Jero’s personal adjutant, Jemmy Alexander, who is believed to have knowledge of the alleged abuse of power committed by his boss.

“Jemmy Alexander was questioned as a witness in the case in his capacity as JW’s adjutant,” another KPK spokesman Priharsa Nugraha said on Wednesday.

Asked if the witnesses could follow Jero in being named suspects, Johan said it was too early to say.

“As of today, JW is the only suspect, but the investigation is progressing with the questioning of witnesses,” Johan added.

Earlier, the antigraft body also summoned President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s special adviser on political communication, Daniel Sparingga, and Indo Pos chief editor Don Kardono amid suspicion the two had benefitted from Jero’s actions.

The KPK questioned Daniel for allegedly receiving dirty money from Jero for his consulting services, an allegation that the presidential advisor denied. (Haeril Halim)

Editor: Barratut Taqiyyah Rafie