Baharuddin Lopa, The Legal Warrior Who Dares To Send Corruptors To Nusakambangan

Baharuddin Lopa was inaugurated as Minister of Justice and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia on February 9, 2001. (Special)

JAKARTA - Law enforcement in Indonesia absolutely requires a figure like Baharuddin Lopa. Lopa's courage as a enforcer of justice is the estuary. His integrity as a law enforcer cannot be steered or bought with money.

Lopa yang berprofesi sebagai jaksa mampu menyelepus koruptor era Orde Baru (Orba). Ia tak ingin koruptor yang merugikan negara hidup tenang. Narasi itu dibukti ketika ia menjadi Menteri Kehakiman dan HAM, kemudian Jaksa Agung. Koruptor jadi soran dan dikirimnya ke Nusakambangan.

It is possible that justice is something that is difficult to find in Indonesian law enforcement. The presence of popular perceptions, sharp downward law bluntly and upwards is proof. The narrative is considered by the general public like money to be able to buy everything, from regulating the law to officials.

The appearance of Baharuddin Lopa as a law enforcement prosecutor changed everything. The man who was born in Pambusuang, West Sulawesi on August 27, 1935, is like proof that money cannot afford to buy the law. He only understands how to perpetuate the law as fairly as possible.

He tries to punish the guilty and free the innocent. Not the other way around. Because, his unfair attitude will bring down the muruah of Indonesian law again. The principle of justice understood by Lopa has emerged from many life experiences.

He was able to learn the enforcement of justice from the local traditional chairman in his area. No bargaining to those who are guilty. Even though it is his own family. Lopa shared the principle of justice and then explored it again when he studied law in college.

His courage to uphold justice as a prosecutor began to span the New Order era. He has been the Head of the High Prosecutor's Office several times in various places in the archipelago, from Southeast Sulawesi to South Sulawesi. Corrupt officials fear him. Lopa did not hesitate to take them "enjoy" the severe punishment.

His popularity as a top law enforcer grew even more in the 1980s. Instead of being liked by the New Order, Lopa is actually considered a fire in the husks. Lopa's courage is predicted to interfere with the New Order's power.

Lopa was also exiled by the power of attorney in the 1990s. He was only given the task of being the Director General (Dirjen) of the Correctional Institution (Lapas). A position that makes Lopa not have the authority to distance corruptors.

In law enforcement carried out by Baharuddin Lopa, it brings a bright spot to the world of law enforcement in Indonesia, in the matter of upholding justice there is no word of wrong compromise that will remain even among high-ranking officials. From here it can be seen clearly how Baharuddin Lopa's attitude in fighting for the truth of the law.

"The principle is strong, making him dare to fight arbitrariness, disbursement of legal facts, even though there is a high risk of his position. The success of the law enforcement struggle is determined by the leadership and their staff. Law enforcement officers, officials and the public must have high legal awareness," explained Irnawati Mustari Bahri in his writing in the Journal of the Integration Review Precision entitled The Struggle of Baharuddin Lopa in Enforcement of Indonesian Law (2021).

The resignation of the New Order government to become a green light for Lopa to beat corruptors again. His career is getting worse. The Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) government entrusts Lopa to hold an important position in the field of law. Gus Dur's lopa was asked by Gus Dur as Minister of Justice and Human Rights to the Attorney General.

The two positions he held alternately made Lopa free to explore to arrest corruptors from the era of the Soeharto and New Order governments. Lopa did not hesitate to trace the alleged corruption of the 32-year-old general.

It may be that Suharto is difficult to stand trial because he is old and sick. Alias Suharto is difficult to present in court. However, not with his crafts. Take the example of the former Minister of Forestry and Plantation, Bob Hasan. The court was able to sentence Bob Hasan who was corrupt for six years in prison.

Initially Bob Hasan was placed in Cipinang Prison, Jakarta. Lopa also tried to perpetuate the breakthrough. The corruptor was then transferred to the Nusakambangan Prison/Cilacap Prison, Central Java. A prison that is considered to be able to provide a maximum deterrent effect due to a scary image.

The image is famous because Nusakambangan is a "home" for the perpetrators of serious crimes. Among others, theft, narcotics to criminal acts of terrorism. The prison is considered capable of deterring corruptors. This step was praised by many parties.

Corruptors are considered a pity if they are sentenced to only ordinary prisons. Because, the possibility that they can live comfortably and have no regrets is too great. The courage of Baharuddin Lopa to place corruptors in Nusakambangan is proof of his seriousness in fighting corruption.

One of the biggest cases handled by Baharuddin Lopa is the corruption case of Suharto and his kroni. He managed to apprehend one of the Soeharto crafts, Bob Hasan. The corruptor was transferred to Nusakambangan. This is a phenomenal step. I said it was phenomenal because the anti-rasuah agency which was then present in Megawati Soekarnoputri's Government, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) only dared to discuss corruptors in the Nusakambangan prison.

One of the presidential candidates that will compete in the 2024 presidential election, Ganjar Pranowo is also interested in discussing the same thing. That's the great thing about Lopa. While others are still discussing it, Lopa has actually realized it. Courage is a kind of achievement which of course will be difficult for other law enforcers to do. that's even if they have high guts," explained Criminal Law Expert, Masykur Isnan when contacted by VOI, December 15, 2023.