Medan Corruption Court Judge's House Fire Suspected Of Planning Crime, Commission III Of The House Of Representatives Asks Police To Completely Investigate

JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sarifuddin Sudding, suspects that there was a planned crime in the fire incident at the house of the Chairman of the Medan Panel of Judges, Khamazaro Waruwu, who was handling a road project corruption case worth Rp. 231 billion. He also asked the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit, to deploy a special investigation team and ensure that the investigation process was carried out openly and professionally.

"This is no longer intimidation but a planned crime that could threaten the safety of the judge's life and his family. And therefore the police must act to investigate the case," said Sudding, Thursday, November 6.

"This case must not stop at the conclusion of ordinary fire'. The context touches the heart of our justice system and the public has the right to know the truth," he said.

Sudding reminded that the protection of judges, prosecutors, and investigators handling major cases must be carried out systemically. He encouraged the full application of Law Number 13 of 2006 concerning the Protection of Witnesses and Victims, and guaranteed the independence of the judiciary as mandated by the constitution.

"When a judge shows integrity and firmness in revealing the facts of corruption, the state is obliged to protect it. Law enforcement should not be rewarded with threats to safety," said the legislator from the Central Sulawesi electoral district.

According to Sudding, the courage of Judge Waruwu in leading the trial of corruption cases deserves appreciation. However, he said, this kind of courage should not be paid dearly with threats or terror.

Therefore, Sudding asked the Supreme Court and the National Police to improve the security system for judges who handle strategic and high-value cases.

"The fight against corruption will lose its meaning if law enforcement officials are allowed to face threats alone. The state must ensure that justice does not recede just because of the truth that is threatened," he concluded.

As is known, the private house of the Chief Justice of the Panel of Judges at the Medan District Court, Khamizaro Waruwu at the Taman Harapan Indah Complex, Medan Selayang, caught fire on Tuesday, November 4, morning. The fire broke out when all residents were not at the location. So there were no victims in the incident.

However, part of the house, especially the workspace and main room of Khamozaro Waruwu's house, was burned to the ground with material losses estimated at hundreds of millions of rupiah.

Meanwhile, Khamozaro Waruwu is the Chief Justice of the Panel of Judges who handled the corruption case (Tipikor) of a road project worth around Rp. 231 billion involving the former Head of the PUPR Office of North Sumatra Province, Topan Ginting.