Could Stepanus Be A Corruption Case Broker In KPK Alone?

KPK Building (Irvan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was asked to investigate the bribery case that ensnared its investigator, AKP Stepanus Robin Pattuju. He is considered not alone to be a case broker in the anti-graft commission.

This pressure came from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) after the KPK named three suspects in the bribery case to stop handling corruption in Tanjungbalai City. Apart from Stepanus, those named as suspects were the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial and Maskur Husain, who are lawyers.

"ICW believes that Robin investigators did not act alone in this case of alleged bribery and gratuities," said ICW researcher Kurnia Ramadhana in his statement to VOI, Friday, April 23.

He had a reason for this suspicion. According to Kurnia, in stopping an investigation of a corruption case, a collective agreement from investigators and approval from the Deputy for Enforcement at the KPK is necessary.

"So the next question, even further, is whether his superiors in the deputy prosecution know this evil plan," said the anti-corruption activist.

The Corruption Eradication Commission drags down its investigators who become 'markers' (Photo: PR of the Corruption Eradication Commission)

Kurnia conveyed that the law enforcement process imposed on Stepanus must also lead to an investigation into the receipt of Rp438 million in cash between October 2020 and April 2021.

"The purpose of the investigation is to find information, whether this is the first time this illegal practice has occurred or has the suspect often done it before? If so, who are the parties who have carried out the transaction ?," he said.

Finally, Kurnia also asked the KPK to investigate the relationship between Robin and Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament Azis Syamsuddin in October 2020. Moreover, this meeting felt awkward to be held at the official residence of the Golkar Party politician.

"Was it their first meeting or had they communicated before?" he asked.

This allegation did not only arise from ICW, but also from the Chairperson of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Asfinawati. He is suspicious of a buying and selling net or case broker in the internal Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"Today's news shows there is a high probability of a case trafficking network," Asfinawati said in a virtual discussion broadcast on YouTube.

He also suspected that this action could not only be the act of a few people, but also systemic. "This is not the doing of one or two people," he insisted.

KPK Strictly Investigates Other Parties' Involvement

After announcing the determination of the suspect and detention in this case, KPK chairman Firli Bahuri confirmed that his party would carry out an investigation. Because, it is not impossible that this action will also involve other parties.

"It is possible that the perpetrators were not singular," he said in a press conference at the KPK's Red and White House, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, April 22.

He promised that his party would continue to study the entire series of events, starting from the time, location, to the parties suspected of being involved. "This is homework (PR) that must be completed," he said.

Recalling the Chronology of Bribery of the Deputy Speaker of the DPR RI

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

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

During the meeting, Firli Bahuri mentioned that Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Azis Syamsuddin, introduced KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju (SRP) with the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial (MS).

"Because it is suspected that MS 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 SRP to help so that later the investigation problem is not followed up by the KPK," he explained.

Following up on the meeting at the house of Deputy Speaker of the DPR Azis Syamsuddin, KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju (SRP) introduced lawyer Maskur Husain (MH) to the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial (MS).

"SRP together with MH (Maskur Husain, lawyer) agreed to make a commitment with MS (Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial) regarding the investigation of alleged corruption in the Tanjungbalai City Government not to be followed up by the KPK by preparing Rp1.5 billion," said Firli.

Tanjungbalai Mayor M Syahrial approved the request of KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju (SRP) and lawyer Maskur Husain (MH). MS 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 (SRP).

"Until the total money that SRP has received is Rp1.3 billion," he said.

"After the money was received, SRP reiterated to MS 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 Rp.525 million through KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju (SRP). MH is suspected of also receiving money from other parties of around Rp. 200 million.

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