Graft suspect challenges KPK Law

Graft suspect challenges KPK Law

JAKARTA: Bram Manoppo, a suspect in a graft case involving
Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Governor Abdullah Puteh, challenged on
Tuesday the law on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

According to Bram, whom the commission has named a suspect,
Law No. 20/2002 on KPK carries a retroactive clause that is
unconstitutional.

During a hearing at the Constitutional Court, Bram,
represented by lawyer Muhamad Assegaf, argued that he could not
be charged under the KPK Law, which came into effect in late
2002, because the graft case occurred in 2001.

Bram is the director of Putra Pobiagan Mandiri, which provided
a helicopter that was allegedly marked up by the Aceh
administration, causing the state Rp 4 billion in losses. -- JP