KPK still investigating PKS faction gratification case

Pangkalpinang, NU Online
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is currently questioning members of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction in the House of Representatives (DPR) who had admitted to receiving 33,000 dollars in gratification money, and collecting more evidence on the matter, the commission`s chief said.

"The KPK is now collecting more evidence on and questioning five people in connection with the handing of 33,000 dollars in gratification money (to DPR members belonging to the PKS faction) at the Ritz Carlton Hotel some time ago," KPK Chairman Antasri Azhar said here Monday (14/4).<>

As reported by Antara, speaking at a meeting with Bangka Belitung Islands provincial officials, Antasari said the KPK needed to know from whom the PKS faction members had received the money and whether the gratification had anything to do with the making of any law or political decision.

In the country`s anti-corruption law, gratification is considered bribery when it is given to a civil servant or state official on account of the civil servant`s or state official`s position or office and in violation of the latter`s duties or tasks.

Gratification can take the form of a sum of money, a rebate (discount), a commission, an interest-free loan, a ticket for travel, free lodging, a holiday trip, free medical service or other facilities.

Earlier, the chairman of the PKS faction in the House, Mahfudz Siddiq, disclosed his faction had turned over to the KPK Rp2 billion in cash which its members had received as gratification in the period December 2005 - January 2008. The amount which had come from fellow legislators in various House commissions included 38,000 US dollars and 33,000 Singapore dollars. (dar)