Beef corruption scandal transfixes Indonesia

The case involving Luthfi Hasan Ishaq, chairman of the Muslim Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), and his close associate has captivated the country and dominated discussions among Indonesians on the Internet and television talk shows.

Ishaq, a Saudi-educated politician, was arrested in January for allegedly receiving 1 billion rupiah (Bt3 million) in bribes to help a private company win additional beef import quotas from the Agriculture Ministry.

He was named a suspect after his associate, Ahmad Fathanah, was arrested. Fathanah was found in a hotel room with a woman and a suitcase containing 1 billion rupiah, according to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

The commission said Fathanah had sent money to at least 20 women, including a famous actress and a model.

Last week, Vitalia Sesya, a model who poses for a men’s magazine, was questioned by the commission, KPK, about her acceptance of expensive gifts from Fathanah, including a Honda car and jewellery. Local media quoted Fathanah’s driver as saying that his boss, who is married, regularly met different women and spent time with them in hotel rooms.

KPK is also seeking to question a high-school student, who according to local media is married to Ishaq. On Wednesday, investigators seized another luxury car allegedly belonging to Ishaq, bringing the number of vehicles confiscated from him to seven. KPK has also seized five houses allegedly bought by him.

Until the scandal broke, Ishaq’s party had a reputation for being free from the corruption that beset other parties. PKS finished fourth in the 2009 election, campaigning on a platform of anti-corruption and honesty, and is a member of the ruling coalition.

“This is all stage-managed,” party deputy secretary general Fahri Hamzah said.