Ghalib no suspect: Military Police

JAKARTA (JP): The Military Police has denied reports that Lt. Gen. Andi M. Ghalib, the former attorney general who stepped aside amid allegations that he had accepted bribes, has been named a suspect in their investigations.

"I have yet to mention his (Ghalib's) status as a suspect in the case," Military Police chief Maj. Gen. Djasri Marin said on Thursday after a meeting with Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto at his office.

Also attending the meeting were Ghalib, Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, chief of TNI territorial affairs Maj. Gen. (police) Nana Permana and Maj. Gen. Endriartono Sutarto.

Djasri refused to explain Ghalib's role in the meeting.

A team of lawyers from the independent Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) revealed on Wednesday evidence showing that Ghalib was being treated as a suspect. They said the Military Police had written to the National Police requesting the latter ask the central bank to allow access to Ghalib's accounts.

Djasri said that he has annulled the letter recovered it from the police.

"The letter should have been sent to the military prosecutors," he added, without elaborating.

Asked why Ghalib had not been officially named a suspect while the two businessmen who allegedly bribed him had, Djasri said it was the responsibility of the police.

Ghalib's case came under the spotlight after ICW disclosed in early June that Rp 450 million (US$57,000) was transferred to Ghalib's account by tycoons The Nin King and Prajogo Pangestu in April.

It also alleged Rp 1.8 billion was transferred to accounts in the name of Ghalib and his wife, Andi Murniati, and that 11 deposits were made to their accounts between Feb. 12 and May 16 at a national private bank in South Jakarta.

Ghalib has denied taking bribes from the two businessmen, claiming the Rp 450 million were contributions for the Indonesian Wrestling Association, which he chairs.

The Nin King and Prajogo are suspected to have given bribes to Ghalib while under investigation by the Attorney General's Office over banking violations. (rms)