KPK may question Bagir at his office

JAKARTA: After failing to summon Chief Justice Bagir Manan for a questioning in connection with a bribery case involving businessman Probosutedjo on Monday, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is considering conducting the questioning at his office.

"We will take into consideration his position as the Chief Justice," said KPK Chairman Taufikurrahman Ruki after a meeting on rehabilitation and reconciliation at the presidential office on Tuesday.

KPK will send a second summons and a third if required for Bagir in accordance with the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP), Taufikurrahman said. KUHAP allows law enforcers to use force if the third summons is ignored.

Graft convict Probosutedjo has confessed to having disbursed a total of Rp 16 billion (US$1.6 million) in bribes, Rp 6 billion of which was given to a Bagir-led panel of justices who heard the businessman's appeal case. -- JP