Speaker of the House Setya Novanto leaves a courtroom after appearing as a witness in an embezzlement case involving electronic identity cards in Jakarta. (Photo: REUTERS) Hanoi (VNA) – Speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Representative Council Setya Novanto, also President of Golkar, the second largest political party of the country, was detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on November 19.
Novanto, 62, is under investigation over his alleged role in causing the country’s loss of 170 million USD which was detected in 2014.
He was admitted to hospital after a car accident in south of Jakarta capital city on November 16. The KPK decided to arrest him on November 17 but the accident forced the body to suspend its plan to question him.
On November 19, Novanto was transferred from the hospital to a detention centre after medical staff affirmed that his condition did not require hospitalisation.
Earlier, Novato’s lawyer filed a petition against his trial for corruption, which is scheduled for November 30 at the South Jakarta District Court. Novanto has denied any wrongdoings in the case.
The KPK is probing the major corruption case involving a network of 80 people and some companies that took advantage of the launch of a 440-million-USD electronic identification card system since 2011 to steal more than one third of Government budget.
Many high-profile lawmakers are accused of accepting bribes in connection with the case.-VNA
