South Jakarta District Court Asked To Cancel Determination Of Panji Gumilang Suspect Status

JAKARTA Nine witnesses were presented at the pretrial hearing to determine the suspect in the leadership of the Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes) Panji Gumilang, Tuesday, May 7. The witness, consisting of four expert witnesses and five fact witnesses, assessed that the determination of the suspect by the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes (Dittipideksus) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit was invalid.

The nine witnesses were presented by Panji Gumilang, namely TPPU expert witness Prof. (Asc.) Ahmad Sofian, SH., MA., expert in the ITE Law Dr. Andi Widiatno Humerson, SH., SKom., MH., criminal law expert Dr. Ermania Widjajanti SH., MHUm., and civil law expert Dr. Subani, SH., MH.

"The testimony of the experts earlier has broken the determination of an unauthorized suspect," said Panji Gumilang's attorney, Alvin Lim, in a written statement, Wednesday, May 8.

"The expert clearly stated that the entire process of investigation, investigation and determination of the suspect was carried out legally by formal law," he added.

According to Alvin, the determination of the suspect Panji was invalid because investigators did not provide SPDP.

"Even those who provide press statements should be Kabareskrim or the National Police Chief. This is even the Director (Director of Special Economic Crimes for Bareskrim)," he said.

In addition, Alvin assessed that there was no mens rea or malicious intent from Panji Gumilang to carry out money laundering offenses.

"There is no mens rea, they question the deed of land that uses the name of the administrator and is mentioned by the expert, it is not a crime. Because if it is a crime, people want to take or help, they won't say it's not mine. Instead, he will take it and sell it. He will admit it belongs to him. So there is no mens rea, this crime doesn't exist. Now that's what we have already proven in court," continued Alvin.

He also suspected that there was criminalization of Panji. This is because the determination of the suspect was carried out before there was evidence.

"This he was made a suspect in November 2023. The evidence is that the expert's statement was only examined on April 2, 2024, when we prepid (pretrial lawsuit). Where is there made a suspect first, a later witness," he explained.

Alvin asked the court to cancel the determination of the suspect Panji. Because, according to him, apart from being against formal law, it is also in order to fulfill a sense of justice. Moreover, there are students, scholars who are teachers and the surrounding community, who depend on the management of pesantren.

"The chairman of the South Jakarta District Court as the last bastion of justice must be able to provide justice for the community. If the suspect is determined by law, he must have the courage to cancel the determination of the suspect," said Alvin.

"This money is for the benefit of the community, students, scholars in Islamic boarding schools. They don't think about it," he continued.

The trial of the alleged money laundering case (TPPU) was held by the South Jakarta District Court (PN Jaksel), Tuesday, May 7. The trial is scheduled to hear witness statements from the Panji side.