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