Jumat 04 Oct 2013 01:22 WIB

Chief of justice arrested in bribery scandal

Rep: Bilal Ramadhan/Esthi Maharani/ Red: Ajeng Ritzki Pitakasari
Akil Mochtar
Foto: Antara
Akil Mochtar

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, Indonesian anti-corruption investigators have arrested constitutional court's chief of justice for allegedly accepting a bribe in a case related to a disputed regional election, an official said on Thursday.

This was the latest high-profile corruptions case disclosed by Corruption Erradication Commision (KPK). Chief Justice Akil Mochtar was detained at his official residence late Wednesday shortly after two other people--a businessman and lawmaker--allegedly handed him money around three million rupiah ($250.000), said KPK spokesperson, Johan Budi.

"This bribery is linked to a disputed regional election in Gunung Mas district on Borneo Island," explained Budi. The election was held in last September.

At Mochtar house KPK investigators also arrested a lawmaker, a member of Golkar party and a businessman.

This case triggered public shock for MK was widely believed as one of the corruption-free state institutions. Eight years consecutively since its first establishment in 2003 Constitutional Court has maintained unquilifed opinion from Supreme Audit Board.

One of Constitutional Court's main duties is to decided on electoral disputes. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave a rare public address one day after the arrest, saying, "I can feel the anger and shock of Indonesian people."

Yudhoyono emphasized the important role of of constitutional court judges. "Court's ruling is final and binding and it is very dangerous if the they make a wrong decision."

This case has worsened the corruption image of the country. Indonesia was ranked 118th out of 176 countries in the 2012 Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International, dropped from 100th out of 183 the year before.

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