Azis Syamsuddin And Former KPK Investigator Robin Visit Tangerang Prison On Rita Widyasari's Birthday

JAKARTA - Former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari said the former Deputy Speaker of the DPR from the Golkar Party faction Azis Syamsuddin came to the Tangerang Penitentiary (Lapas) on Rita's birthday on November 7, 2020.

"After the meeting last September, we met again in November at the Tangerang prison, on my birthday," said Rita at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor), Thursday, December 23.

Rita Widyasari was present as a witness for the defendant Azis Syamsuddin who was charged with giving bribes worth Rp. 3.099 billion and US$36 thousand for a total of around Rp. 3.619 billion to former KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju and advocate Maskur Husain related to the handling of the KPK investigation in Central Lampung.

"There was no celebration, just friends. At that time, besides Mr. Azis, there was also Mr. Robin," said Rita.

Initially, Rita knew Robin because she was introduced to him by Azis Syamsuddin in Tangerang prison in September 2020.

"At that time I was introduced to 'This is Mrs. Rita, the former regent of Kutai Kartanegara' and then Mr. Robin showed the 'bet', I was surprised, I caught a glimpse of the KPK investigators," said Rita.

At the first meeting with Robin, Azis introduced Robin to Rita as someone who could help Rita with her case.

Rita Widyasari is known to be serving a sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 600 million, subsidiary of 6 months in prison since 2017 because she was proven to have received a gratuity of Rp. 110,720,440,000 related to project permits at the Kukar Regency Government. Rita is also still a suspect in the alleged crime of money laundering at the KPK.

"He said 'if there is anything he can help with', meaning Mr. Robin can take care of the PK," said Rita.

A few days later, according to Rita, Robin came back to Tangerang Prison alone.

"I didn't ask for help, Mr. Robin came, Mr. Robin came with Maskur at the Tangerang prison without me asking," added Rita.

"One of the things I remember the most is the regent of Malinau, where the number of trillion cases can be 'cut'. The condition is that if you want help, you have to stop my old lawyer and make a new power of attorney to Maskur and there is a 'lawyer fee' of Rp. 10 billion, "said Rita.

According to Rita, the Rp10 billion was to help return 19 of her assets that were confiscated by the KPK and to arrange Rita's Judicial Review.

"But I said that I didn't have any money, so I told the defendant that I didn't have any money, we can talk about it later, I told Robin and Maskur that I only have assets and if I can help, I can find money from these assets and I will give it to you. my asset certificate," added Rita.

Rita then handed over her 3 asset certificates, namely 2 houses in Bandung and 1 apartment in Sudirman Park, Jakarta.

Rita also said that she was frank with Azis Syamsuddin that she did not have the money to hire a lawyer to take care of her case.

"I just conveyed vulgarity to him (Azis Syamsuddin), 'face to face' that I have no money. Then Mr. Azis said 'You can talk to Mr. Robin', then I thought, I have assets," said Rita.

Later, Rita was reported by Robin that Robin managed to find a lender who was willing to lend money with a guarantee of 3 certificates of assets belonging to Rita. that person is Usman Effendy.

"He said that Pak Usman was having problems at the KPK, he helped me a little, actually, then Pak Robin brought the agreement to Tangerang, I borrowed Rp. 2.5 billion which had to be returned 5 billion within 3 months but I said it was impossible and then I asked for it to be replaced. So 6 months ago I agreed because Robin and Maskur said my business would be finished in 1-2 months," explained Rita. This was reported by Antara.