REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) grilled a member of a group of hajj pilgrims led by former Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali,who has been named a corruption suspect by the anti graft agency.

Richard Lessang was among 35 members of the group allegedly illegally using the facility from the ministry for hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia during the hajj season in 2012.

"He (Richard) is investigated related to the case of the suspect Suryadharma Ali," KPK spokesman Priharsa Nugraha said here on Wednesday.

KPK also investigated an official of the religious affairs ministry M Noer Alya Fitra.

KPK charged Suryadarma Ali, who was also former general chairman of the Islamic United Development Party (PPP) with abuse of power and misuse of the ministry's budget worth Rp1 trillion in 2012-2013.

Suryadharma Ali brought his family members, relatives, some officials of the ministry and legislators from PPP on the hajj pilgrimage using the facility that should be given to people who have been on the waiting list for years.

Among the members of the group were former deputy chairman of Commission IX of the Parliament Irgan Chairul Mahfiz and former member of the Commission X Reni Marlinawati; Suryadharma's wife , Wardhatul Asriah and his son in law Rendhika Deniardy Harsono.

Suryadharma is facing a maximum punishment of 20 years' imprisonment if found guilty.

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