Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Constitutional Court Chairman Mahfud MD has congratulated the government over the arrest of Nazaruddin in Cartagena, Colombia, on Monday.

"Congratulations to the government. This is an achievement in at least two senses," he said in a statement to ANTARA News.

Firstly, he said, it proves to and answers parties who have so far suspected that the government had deliberately let Nazaruddin run away and would never arrest him to cover up bad things in the government.

"The government has now proven otherwise with the arrest of Nazaruddin. From the beginning I have had confidence that the police, if they have the will, can be very professional," he said.

Secondly, he said, the government and law enforcers have also proven that the case will be unveiled thoroughly.

"Nazaruddin must be tried with regard to his cases and in the cases of other people he has claimed being involved in corruption along with him and upon his knowledge," he said.

He said nothing must be covered up and this would provide an opportunity for the government to prove that it had never discriminated against in dealing with corruption eradication.

"We must encourage Nazaruddin to unveil corruption cases that he has been involved in or known because without public support he could be afraid and dare not speak out. This will determine how serious we are in eradicating corruption," he said.

Coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Djoko Suyanto had earlier said that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had been informed about Nazaruddin`s arrest on Sunday night Colombia time.

Nazaruddin, who is former ruling Democrat Party treasurer, was caught in Cartagena by police in cooperation with the international police.

He has left the country since May 23, a day before he was banned to travel abroad.

From his hiding he has accused several party figures of being involved in his case causing controversies.
(T.J008/H-YH/HAJM/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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