Two Times Firli Bahuri Absent From Examination When Polda Metro Strives To Complete Case Files

JAKARTA - Former Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Firli Bahuri, was declared absent from investigations in the alleged extortion and gratification case against the former Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL which was scheduled for today.

The examination of Firli Bahuri is an effort by investigators to complete the case file.

"(Firli Bahuri) was not present," said Deputy Director of Corruption at Bareskrim Polri, Kombes Arief Adiharsa to VOI, Monday, February 26.

The reason for Firli Bahuri's absence was not explained in detail. Including, the question of whether there is information from the former KPK team of attorneys to investigators regarding this matter.

Firli Bahuri is not the only time he has been absent from the examination when investigators are trying to complete the case files in cases of alleged extortion and gratification.

Director of Special Criminal Investigation of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Ade Safri Simanjuntak said the chairman of the KPK for the 2019-2023 period was also absent during the examination scheduled for February 6.

"That's right (Firli Bahuri was absent) that was the first call from the suspect," said Ade.

In an effort to complete the case files, investigators have examined a number of other witnesses, including former Minister of Agriculture or Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, former Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta; and Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono.

The three of them were examined at Polda Metro Jaya on February 13. They again explained the alleged corruption committed by Firli Bahuri.

As a reminder, investigators first handed over Firli Bahuri's case file on December 15. However, from the examination process, the prosecutor assessed that there were still shortcomings and returned them on December 28.

Following up on this, investigators began to complete it. After being deemed sufficient, the case file was again transferred to the DKI Jakarta High Prosecutor's Office on January 24.

However, the case file for the suspect Firli Bahuri was returned on Friday, February 2. The research prosecutor assessed that there were still shortcomings, both formal and material, in accordance with Article 110 and Article 138 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Firli Bahuri was named a suspect based on the results of the case title conducted on Wednesday, November 22.

Several pieces of evidence that became the basis for determining the suspect, namely, foreign exchange documents worth Rp7.4 billion. There are also the results of the extraction of 21 cellphones.

However, Firli Bahuri has not yet been detained. Although, he is already a suspect.

In this case, Firli Bahuri was charged with Article 12 e or Article 12 B or Article 11 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 65 of the Criminal Code.