KPU chief claims alibi in graft case

KPU chief claims alibi in graft case

JAKARTA: General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Nazaruddin Syamsuddin, currently on trial in a corruption case, claimed on Wednesday that an "urgent situation" prompted his decision to approve an insurance scheme for all of the poll body's members.

"The decision was made in an urgent situation where the time was limited and the need was urgent," he announced publicly after a hearing at the Anticorruption Court in Jakarta.

Nazaruddin has been accused of corruption for allegedly receiving kickbacks from an insurance firm that provided the scheme worth around Rp 14 billion (US$1.4 million) for all KPU members nationwide.

The insurance scheme is one part of the graft case, for which the KPU chairman is being tried.

He is facing multiple charges of enriching himself and others, abusing his power and causing state losses in the high-profile case. He could get a life sentence in prison if convicted. --Antara