Azis Syamsuddin Wants To 'Wash Hands' Bribery KPK Investigators And Sacrifice Former Regent Of Kukar Rita, But Outwardly Rejected

JAKARTA - Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Azis Syamsuddin, is said to have ordered former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari to admit to giving bribes to former KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju in the amount of Rp. 8 billion.

"I read my sister's BAP (Minutes of Investigation) which said 'The suspect Muhammad Azis Syamsuddin contacted me and said, 'Madam, if the KPK is examining it, just admit that the dollar that Robin disbursed in the 'money changer' belongs to you', is this true?" asked the public prosecutor (JPU) of the KPK Lie Putra Setiawan at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor), Thursday, December 23.

"Yes, that's right, sir, via telephone. That's right," answered Rita.

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.

"Yes, the point is that please acknowledge what was said and then I replied, 'Yes, bro, I'll think about it,'" said Rita.

According to Rita, Azis contacted her through a special telephone booth (wartelsus) provided at the Tangerang prison, where Rita is being held.

Rita Widyasari is known to be serving a sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 600 million subsidiary 6 months in prison since 2017 for being 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.

"I read it again, the sister answered 'How much is that money from brother'? Then the defendant said 'About Rp. 8 billion, yes, that's a dollar bill from me'. Then the sister replied 'Huh, how do I compose the story? Whereas I never knew the money, never held the money, never had dollars, how did you make it up?'. The defendant then said, 'Just admit that you have a power of attorney and a 'lawyer fee' of Rp. 10 billion, it's legal,'" said prosecutor Lie reading out the BAP. Rita.

In the same BAP, Rita then rejected Azis' request.

"Then you said, 'I can't really put the story together, then the defendant said, 'I'll have someone come and explain the story', is this statement true?" asked the prosecutor.

"That's right, I stick to the description," answered Rita.

Rita then said that Azis's messenger came to meet her named Kris twice.

"Then there was another order from Mr. Azis not to admit the Rp8 billion because we already have another scheme. The point is there is another scheme. So I'll just tell you what it is, sir," said Rita.

"Did the defendant (Azis Syamsuddin) call again after the first communication?" asked the prosecutor.

"Yes, the point is that I just tell the original story, that I gave my assets, the story about the 'lawyer fee' of Rp. 10 billion. I think he already knows who it is from. So I tell it as it is because there are other schemes, other solutions .," explained Rita.

"Then why did you not comply with the defendant's first request?" asked the prosecutor.

"Because it's impossible if I know Robin without being introduced to him (Pak Azis Syamsuddin), what's the story, sir? I'm in (the prison), then there are investigators who go into the (prison) where I am afraid. Yes, impossible," answered Rita.