'I Am Pak Mahyudin's Staff, But Azis's Trusted Person Is To Handle The Proposal', Said The Witness In Front Of The Judge Imitating Aliza

Azis Syamsuddin/ Antara

JAKARTA - Former Head of the Central Lampung Highways Office, Taufik Rahman, said that Aliza Gunado, who was said to be a close person to the former Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Golkar Party faction, Azis Syamsuddin, was a staff member of the Deputy Chairperson of the MPR RI Mahyudin.

"When he first met Aliza in Bandar Lampung, he admitted that it was Mr. Azis Syamsuddin, it turned out that he actually worked in the DPR Building in Mr. Mahyudin's room, he was an expert staff of the Deputy Chair of the MPR," said former Head of the Central Lampung Highways Office, Taufik Rahman at the Corruption Court. (Tipikor) Jakarta, Monday, December 27.

Taufik Rahman is a witness for the defendant, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Muhammad Azis Syamsuddin, who was charged with giving bribes worth Rp. 3.099 billion and US$36 thousand for a total of around Rp. 3.619 billion to Stepanus Robin Pattuju and advocate Maskur Husain in relation to the KPK investigation in Central Lampung.

Taufik admitted that at first he felt strange from Mahyudin's expert staff, but became close to Azis Syamsudin.

"He said, 'Yes, I am Mr. Mahyudin's staff, but I am Mr. Azis' confidant to take care of proposals like this,' said Taufik imitating Aliza's words.

Taufik said he only wanted to seek disbursement of the Central Lampung DAK.

"His spirit is to find a budget, as long as someone helps, I am willing as long as there is no request (fee) up front," added Taufik.

Aliza did ask for a commitment of 8 percent of the approved DAK budget value.

However, recently, the Regent of Central Lampung at the time, Mustafa, asked Taufik to contact Edi Sujarwo, who was said to be close to Azis Syamsuddin.

It was also Edi Sujarwo alias Jarwo who brought Taufik together with Azis Syamsuddin at the DPR Building on April 21, 2017. At that time, Azis said that the 2017 Revised State Budget DAK for Central Lampung was Rp. 25 billion.

Because it was confirmed that the Central Lampung 2017 APBNP DAK that would be disbursed was IDR 25 billion, Taufik was asked to pay off the "fee".

"I went back to the hotel and then Mr. Aliza called, wanted to meet me. Mr. Aliza protested why he was suddenly left behind when I went to Jarwo, I answered that it was not important for me to take care of it through whom, the important thing was that Central Lampung received DAK. Mr. Azis, and Mr. Jarwo, Mr. Azis's people, yes, so Mr. Aliza came to the Veranda Hotel to chat with Mr. Jarwo and then they met me and said that because Central Lampung already has DAK of Rp. 25 billion less, they are waiting for the commitment fee of 8 percent," said Taufik.

The Rp2.1 billion fee was given in stages, with the first stage of Rp1.1 billion being given on July 22, 2017 by a Taufik staff member named Nowo to Aliza and Jarwo at the Veranda Hotel.

Furthermore, on July 23, 2017, another Rp950 million was given to Aliza and Jarwo. Taufik received a report that Aliza and Jarwo had handed over the money to Vio, who was referred to as Azis Syamsuddin's younger brother at the Vios Café.