Surya Paloh in the Eye of the Storm

There has been no evidence that money has passed into the hands of the leader of NasDem Party, a member of the ruling coalition. But the testimony of North Sumatra Governor Gatot Pujo Nugroho and former Nasdem Secretary-General Patrice Rio Capella chargess that Surya knew about the bribery. Surya's message to Patrice about being 'careful' shows his blessing or secret approval of the transaction.

The story began with the arrest in July of three judges from the North Sumatra State Administrative Court, by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Nabbed along with them was the court clerk nd an advocate from the law firm O.C. Kaligis & Associates. The judges were caught red-handed accepting a bribe from Mohammad Yagari Bhastara, aka Gerry, an attorney. The bribe was paid so the judges would favor Gatot, who had filed a lawsuit against the Attorney-General's Office (AGO) for questioning him over the social assistance program in his province.