Police quiz verification team members

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Police grilled two members of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights' political party verification team over allegations of bribery during the recent party screening.

"We questioned Wicipto and Cahyono as witnesses in the alleged bribery case," said a senior police investigator, who requested anonymity.

Thirty-four political parties filed a complaint with the police two weeks ago over what they said was bribery during the party screening process. In an interview with MetroTV, the parties said they paid Wicipto and Cahyono for verification. Of the 34 parties involved in the complaint, 12 have been verified.

Speaking on behalf of the parties, Agus Miftach of the Indonesian People's Unity Party (PPRI) said the bribes ranged from between Rp 1 million (US$118) and Rp 50 million, depending on the verification process level, from mayoralty, province to country.

The parties also named Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra and the head of the party verification team, Ramli Hutabarat, in their complaint.

"We have not yet questioned Ramli because we are yet to require his testimony," the investigator said.

He hinted that police might have difficulty investigating the case due to a lack of evidence. Police have asked MetroTV to provide them a copy of the interview with the parties, but the TV station has said it has no copies.