KPK: Bribe Meant to Control Beef Imports

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced it suspects that the bribe given by businessman Basuki Hariman to Constitutional Court judge Patrialis Akbar was motivated by the desire to control beef imports. Basuki is said to be part of a beef import cartel that sells beef at high prices.

KPK deputy chairman Laode M. Syarif said on Tuesday (31/1) in Jakarta that the indications suggesting that Basuki was part of such a cartel emerged from the discovery of 28 ministry and directorate general stamps in his office. Investigators also found stamps resembling those of international organizations, including halal labels from beef exporting countries. Those stamps were confiscated by the KPK.

When asked about the stamps, Basuki claimed he knew nothing about them. He also refused to respond when questioned about giving money to Patrialis.