Hamid to become KPU trial witness

JAKARTA: Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin is to appear in court as a witness in the graft trial of General Elections Commission (KPU) finance head Hamdani Amin.

"Hamid Awaluddin will become a witness. We'll listen to what he has to say," Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) head Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean said.

He could not say when Hamdani's trial would begin.

The KPK is investigating the high-profile case, which centers on the abuse of state funds during last year's elections. The trial has also seen top KPU executives accused of collecting kickbacks from private companies that won business contracts from the commission.

Hamdani had previously said the kickbacks were distributed to all KPU members, including its chairman. Hamid is a former KPU member and for the past few months has been busy leading a government team to negotiate a peace deal with the leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Helsinki.

Hamid denied receiving funds from Hamdani during a previous seven-hour questioning session by the KPK. -- JP