KPK Witness Examination Held Due To The Spread Of COVID-19

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has suspended witness examinations due to the outbreak of the corona virus or COVID-19. This decision was conveyed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Corruption Eradication Committee, Ali Fikri and was taken to avoid the transmission of the virus.

"There is no temporary investigation," Ali said in a written statement, Thursday, March 26.

The absence of a schedule for witness examination was decided after the investigating team coordinated with the witnesses who would be presented. Ali said, when coordinated most of the witnesses asked for a reschedule on the pretext of following President Joko Widodo's advice to stay at home during the spread of COVID-19.

"There is information that we received from several Investigative Task Force Teams, there was a change and adjustment to the examination schedule confirmed by the witnesses because of the current situation and conditions for the spread of COVID-19," explained the KPK public prosecutor (JPU).

This check stoppage will last until Friday, March 27th. However, it can change according to the current situation.

Meanwhile, the trial that is currently underway at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, is planned to be carried out by means of video conferencing.

"The KPK is currently coordinating with the Central Jakarta District Court (PN) regarding the technicalities of the Corruption Court trial and agreed that the trial will be held by means of a Video Conference which process still adheres to the applicable procedural law," he said.

In fact, to launch this trial the anti-corruption agency has conducted equipment trials at the Central Jakarta District Court (PN) and at the KPK.

This institution hopes that the trial can continue even though the spread of COVID-19 continues. "So that the settlement of corruption cases can be carried out according to the time determined by the law," closed Ali.