Agrarian minister comes under scrutiny for ignoring KPK summonses

Questions have emerged surrounding Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid's refusal to attend two summonses from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). There is mounting pressure for investigators to question him upon his return from Malaysia. Nusron has been under the microscope since last month when the KPK initiated a bribery investigation into the distribution of right-to-build permits within his ministry.

Four individuals out of eight in the probe were reportedly acting as Nusron's personal assistants. The minister was originally supposed to be questioned on October 7, but requested a postponement due to scheduling issues. KPK investigators subsequently rescheduled the interview for October 14, but Nusron once again sought a delay due to an official trip to Malaysia.

This series of postponements led the Indonesian Anticorruption Society (MAKI) to urge the KPK to abandon plans for a third summons and instead issue a warrant to bring Nusron in for questioning forcibly. "Since this is the second time [Nusron] hasn’t shown up for his questioning, there should be sufficient grounds for the KPK to take him in with a warrant," said MAKI coordinator Boyamin Saiman. As of Tuesday night, Nusron's whereabouts remained unknown.