The wRap Indonesia: Feb. 2, 2015

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The latest development in the conflict between the police and anti-graft officials as well as updates on the search for more AirAsia crash victims lead our wrap of stories from Indonesia today.  

1. Pre-trial hearing for Budi Gunawan’s lawsuit vs KPK postponed

Demonstran sidang praperadilan diizinkan masuk ke PN Jaksel untuk cegah macet di Jl. Ampera http://t.co/jHWy2TykrA pic.twitter.com/ypzs5FGb6N

— Rappler Indonesia (@RapplerID) February 2, 2015

It’s the Corruption Eradication Commission’s turn not to show up this time. The pre-trial hearing for Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan’s lawsuit challenging the decision of the KPK to name him a corruption suspect was scheduled to begin on Monday, February 2, but was postponed for a week because the defendats were a no show. Budi on Friday also ignored the KPK’s summons for him to appear for questioning. Outside the court, about 500 police officers were deployed to secure the proceedings, as demonstrators from mass organizations like Forum Betawi Bersatu (Betawi Unity Forum) demanded the court to accept the Budi’s motion. Budi’s lawsuit accuses KPK leaders of abuse of authority or omission or coercion, questioning the timing of the decision to name Budi a suspect, just days after he was nominated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as the next police chief. Read the developing story at Rappler.com.

2. New photos allegedly showing KPK chairman with a mistress circulate

KPK chairman Abraham Samad is furiously denying allegations circulating online again that he has a mistress. A Twitter account called @polisipatung tweeted photos on Sunday, February 1, that allegedly show Samad in bed with a woman. The account, which stated its location as “police headquarters”, also claimed the mistress was keeping IDR4 billion ($315,000) of Samad’s ill-gotten wealth in her bank account. “It’s not true and it’s slander. I don’t know (the girl),” Samad told Okezone.com. This is the second time allegedly compromising images of Samad have been circulated since the KPK named Budi Gunawan a corruption suspect. The first time it happened, netizens rallied arround the KPK chairman, with many tweeting that they were sure the images were fake. This time around, netizens appear to largely just be ignoring the allegations.  

3. Divers find more bodies in AirAsia crash site

Divers found 7 more bodies of AirAsia crash victims in the wreckage on Monday morning, a day after resuming the search efforts, according to Kompas.com. Rescuers on Sunday resumed their search for the victims still missing from the AirAsia plane that crashed on December 28 with 162 people on board following a two-day break. As of Monday, 94 bodies fromt he 162 passengers on board had been found, mostly in the waters off of Central Kalimantan. But 6 bodies were also found by fishermen in the Makassar Strait, about 1,000 kilometers away from the crash site, with at least 3 already confirmed to be AirAsia victims. Check out this photo essay looking back at the search for the AirAsia crash site and victims.   

4. GM and China’s SAIC eye Indonesia market with low-cost microvans

General Motors and Chinese partner SAIC Motor Corp. will soon announce a joint push into Indonesia, Reuters reported on Monday. The venture will reportedly manufacture and market low-cost “people mover” microvans under the no-frills Wuling brand that can sell for just under $4,800. Officials from Indonesia’s industry ministry told state news agency Antara late on Friday that GM and SAIC would invest $700 million in a factory in Indonesia that aims to start producing up to 150,000 vehicles a year by 2017.  The GM China chief said Indonesia had a large and growing appetite for simple multi-purpose vans, often with three rows of seating that can accommodate 7 or 8 people. Read the full story from Reuters. 

5. Vigil held for Bali Nine in Australia as Indonesia remains steadfast on death penalty 

“I come here to ask pardon from the president and the people of Indonesia to forgive my grandson and give him a second chance. I don’t ask him to come home, I only ask him to give him life and let him do something in the prison,” Bali Nine member Myuran Sukumaran’s grandmother, Edith Visvanathan, said on Saturday, January 31, Euronews.com reported. She was speaking at a vigil in Sydney for Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, who are on death row in Indonesia for attempted drug trafficking. But Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia, Nadjib Kesoema, told ABC news he has met with Australia’s “highest official” and explained there is nothing Australia can do to save the two from the firing squad. –Rappler.com