Prevented From Going Abroad, KPK Ensures Summons Azis Syamsuddin Regarding Alleged Bribery Of KPK Investigators

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament Azis Syamsuddin has been prevented from leaving the country for six months. Prevention was carried out because he was suspected of being involved in the suspicion of bribery to terminate the investigation of a case involving a Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator from the police element, Stepanus Robin Pattuju.

In this case, this Golkar Party politician is the party suspected of introducing Stepanus to the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial. This introduction was made at his official residence before work jointly which resulted in a bribe of IDR 1.3 billion in cash.

The KPK is now continuing to investigate this case, including by searching several places. Several places were searched, including Azis Syamsuddin's office in the DPR RI Building and his official residence.

From the search, several documents and electronic evidence were found. However, there were no further details on what documents were found.

Then when was Azis summoned?

KPK spokesperson of Prosecution Ali Fikri emphasized that all parties related to the case of terminating the investigation of the Tanjung Balai mayor's case would of course be summoned. However, he did not explain when the summoning of Azis would take place.

"We ensure that anyone suspected of knowing the series, in this case, we will be summoned as a witness", Ali told reporters, Saturday, May 1.

As a party suspected of being involved and knowing about this matter, of course, the summoning of Azis will make this case even brighter. However, Ali said, his party could not confirm when the summoning of the politician would be carried out.

"Whose party we will summon as a witness in this case and when the time is of course we will inform further", he said.

Azis has been prevented from leaving the country

Along with investigating this bribery case, the KPK asked the Ministry of Law and Human Rights to take Precautions against Azis and two other people. This request was made so that the three of them would not be abroad when the inspection would be carried out.

"This preventive measure abroad is of course in the interest of accelerating investigations and extracting other evidence so that when it is necessary to call and examine these parties, they will remain in Indonesian territory", said Ali Fikri in his statement.

The request for prevention abroad has been submitted by the KPK since 27 April and this has been confirmed by the Head of Public Relations of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Tubagus Erif.

"According to regulations, prevention is valid for six months. Prevention takes effect from April 27", he told reporters.

As for the suspicion of bribery terminating the investigation of the Tanjungbalai Mayor's case, the anti-corruption commission named three suspects. They are KPK investigators from elements of the Bhayangkara Corps AKP Stepanus Robin Pattuju, Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial, and lawyer Maskur Husain.

In this case, Stepanus and Maskur were suspected of violating Article 12 letter a or letter b or Article 11 and Article 12B of the Corruption Eradication Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) k-1 of the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, M Syahrial is suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph 1 letter a or b or Article 12 of the Corruption Eradication Law.

The flow of the case

KPK chairman Firli Bahuri uncovered the bribery conspiracy related to the handling case of the Mayor of Tanjungbalai North Sumatra, M Syahrial. There was a meeting attended by KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju with the Mayor of Tanjungbalai at the house of Deputy Chairman of Indonesian Parliament, Azis Syamsuddin.

"In October 2020, SRP (Stepanus Robin Pattuju, KPK investigator) held a meeting with Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial at the official residence Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament, Azis Syamsuddin", said Firli Bahuri at a press conference at the KPK building, Thursday, The evening of April 22.

During the meeting, Firli Bahuri said that Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament, Azis Syamsuddin, introduced KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju with the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial.

"Because it is suspected that M Syahril has a problem related to the investigation of suspected corruption in the Tanjung Balai City Government which is being carried out by the KPK so that it does not go up to the investigation stage and asks Stepanus Robin Pattuju to help so that later the investigation problem is not followed up by the KPK", he explained.

Following up on the meeting at Azis Syamsuddin's house, KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju introduced lawyer Maskur Husain to the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial.

"Stepanus Robin Pattuju together with Maskur Husain agreed to make a commitment with Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial regarding the investigation into suspected corruption in the Tanjungbalai City Government not to be followed up by the KPK by preparing IDR 1.5 billion", said Firli.

Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial approved the request of KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju and lawyer Maskur Husain. M Syahril transferred money through the account of Riefka Amalia, a friend of a KPK investigator. The Mayor of Tanjungbalai also gave cash to KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju.

"Until the total money that Stepanus Robin Pattuju has received is IDR 1.3 billion", he said.

"After the money was received, Stepanus Robin Pattuju reiterated to M Syahril with a guarantee of certainty that the investigation into the alleged corruption in the Tanjung Balai City Government would not be followed up by the KPK", he added.

From the money given by the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial, lawyer Maskur Husain received a total of IDR 525 million through KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju. Maskur Husain is suspected of also receiving money from other parties of around IDR 200 million.

"Meanwhile, Stepanus Robin Pattuju (KPK investigator) from October 2020 to April 2021 is also suspected of receiving money from other parties through bank transfer in the name of Riefka Amalia amounting to IDR 438 million", said Firli.

[/ read_more]