Denny Indrayana And Bambang Widjojanto Kompak Call Mardani Maming Case Criminalization, KPK: Normal But Wrong

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that allegations of criminalization that emerged when investigating allegations of bribery and gratification of former Tanah Bumbu Regent Mardani H. Maming were common. However, this cannot be justified.

This response was conveyed by Acting Spokesperson for the KPK for Enforcement, Ali Fikri in response to statements from Mardani's former attorneys, Denny Indrayana and Bambang Widjojanto. Both still believe that their former client has been criminalized by the KPK.

"The interest of a defender who is suspected of being a corruption suspect who is wrapped in the argument of criminalization by the KPK is normal but wrong," said Ali in a written statement to reporters, Thursday, August 4.

Ali even insinuated that the accusation of criminalization was mere exhaustion. The reason is that the determination of the suspect is part of the criminal law enforcement policy.

Thus, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reminds anyone, including two former attorneys for Mardani, not to accuse criminals of criminalization.

"The determination of the suspect is not a criminalization. Because the determination of the suspect is part of the policy of criminal law enforcement itself," he said.

"So don't then, when there are differences of opinion, then accuse criminalization as a reason to justify an interest that seems to prioritize the noble values of advocates," continued Ali.

Previously, former Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights (Wamenkumham) Denny Indrayana said his former client, Mardani H. Maming was a victim of criminalization. Moreover, various evidences in pretrials some time ago have shown that this case is not a legal case.

Meanwhile, Mardani filed a pretrial at the South Jakarta District Court (PN) some time ago when he was named a suspect by the KPK. However, this application was rejected by the judge.

"As long as there is evidence in the pretrial, we still believe this is a criminalization of business transactions. This is competition and business takeover by using legal instruments," he told reporters in a written statement, Wednesday, August 3.

Similarly, former Deputy Chairman of the KPK, Bambang Widjojanto, believes that his former client, Mardani, is innocent. He is sure, Mardani is a victim of criminalization that ends up harming his business.

"This underlying is a business transaction. Business competition cannot be criminalized because it will undermine trust," he said.