
Indonesian Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi has been implicated in corruption involving funding expected to be channeled to the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KONI).
Indonesian Anti Corruption Commission head Alexander Marawatain in a press conference in Jakarta earlier today, confirmed that both Imam and his personal assistant Miftahul Ulum are under investigation on charges of soliciting and accepting kickback in releasing government funds to KONI.
Nahrawi is alleged to have accepted a total of USD 1.8 million (Rp26,5 milliar) between 2014 and 2018.
The duo are expected to be charge under the Anti Corruption Act soon.
The investigation into Imam was an extension into the affairs of KONI office bearers including the secretary and treasurer.
Ending Fuad Hamidy, the KONI secretary general was convicted of corruption charges and is currently serving a 32 month prison while Johnny E Awuy, the Treasurer, is serving a 20 month imprisonment.
The case against three others, Mulyana, Adhi Purnomo and Triyanto is still in the courts awaiting judgement.
The 46 year old Imam, who hails from Bangkalan, Jawa Timur, was appointed as the Youth and Sports Minister in 2014 by the Indonesian president Joko Widodo. He was one of the youngest Ministers to be appointed at that time.
Whether he would vacate his ministerial position in view of this remains to be seen.
While he was seen as an effective Sports Minister, the current turn of events has come as a shock to the Indonesians.
Imam was also responsible in suspending the All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) in 2015 in order to clean up the association riddled with infighting.