Emirsyah Satar Regrets Erick Thohir's Actions, But Is Quite Relieved To Hear The Attorney General ST Burhanuddin's Statement Regarding The ATR 72-600 Aircraft

Emirsyah Satar. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Emirsyah Satar's attorney, Afrian Bondjol, revealed his client's response when he first learned that his name was involved in the alleged corruption case in the procurement of Garuda Indonesia aircraft type ATR 72-600. According to Afrian, Emir was psychologically disturbed to hear his name was linked in the case.

"It must be psychologically disturbed," he said, when met in the South Jakarta area, Monday, January 17.

Furthermore, Afrian also said that the Emir was sad that his name was dragged into the case for the procurement of the aircraft.

"Mr. Emir is sad, how come he still gets his name mentioned again for something he never did," he said.

Even so, said Afrian, Emisyah Satar will follow the ongoing legal process on the principle of presumption of innocence. Emir himself was questioned by investigators from the Attorney General's Office last week at the Sukamiskin Prison.

Afrian also said that Emirsyah Satar regretted the steps taken by the Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir, who went to the Attorney General's Office to report a case of alleged corruption in the procurement of the ATR 72-600 aircraft. Erick's arrival created a framing in the media as if his client was the party responsible for the case.

"He deeply regrets the actions of Mr. Erick as the Minister of SOEs (who visited the Attorney General's Office to report a case of alleged corruption in the procurement of the ATR 72-600 aircraft)," he explained.

However, said Afrian, his party could breathe a little relieved because of the Attorney General's statement which said the case was not merely a corruption case. But it could be a business risk.

"This is a great relief for our client's mentality. In the midst of adversity, the Attorney General can still be neutral, providing fresh air of positive and constructive language. We really appreciate that," he said.

As previously reported, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir reported the alleged corruption of Garuda Indonesia in the procurement of the ATR 72-600 aircraft to the Attorney General's Office in January 11, 2022. The report was in the context of cleaning up the state-owned company.

"I think it's time that the elements in BUMN really need to be cleaned up and this is indeed our main goal to continue to be healthy than the BUMN," he said.

Furthermore, Erick said that the indications of corruption in the procurement of PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk aircraft, which he reported were not based on allegations. However, it is based on investigative evidence.

On the same occasion, the Attorney General of the Republic of Indonesia ST Burhanuddin revealed that the alleged corruption occurred during the era of the ES leadership directors (the suspect was Emirsyah Satar).

"For ATR 72-600 during the ES era and he is now in custody," he said.

Burhanuddin also ensured that the report of the Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir, would be developed to the root of the problem. He also promised to finish it until Garuda was completely clean.

"If development is certain and God willing it will not stop here, we will develop it until Garuda is really clean," he said.