Already Having Strong Evidence, The KPK Says That Azis Syamsuddin's Request To Open His Former Office's CCTV Is Unnecessary

Azis Syamsuddin (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that the request to open CCTV in the Indonesian House of Representatives by former Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Azis Syamsuddin, who was accused of giving bribes in handling corruption cases, was unnecessary.

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Sector Ali Fikri said CCTV was not needed because witness statements had proven that there was a meeting to discuss the management of the Central Lampung Regency Special Allocation Fund (DAK) from the Revised State Budget for the 2017 fiscal year.

"When the witness testifies in front of the panel of judges, it is certain that he has been sworn in according to his religion. So that what is explained will then be assessed by the judge, prosecutor, legal advisor, and the defendant," Ali told reporters, Tuesday, December 28.

Furthermore, Ali said that every defendant has the right to dispute witness statements. However, this objection should be presented with evidence that can be submitted to the Panel of Judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court.

However, the Corruption Eradication Commission believes that whatever rebuttal submitted will not invalidate the indictment submitted by the prosecutor. The reason is that strong evidence of Azis' involvement has been pocketed by the KPK.

"We certainly have evidence that we believe strongly for the alleged actions of the defendant Azis Syamsuddin as described in the prosecution team's indictment," he said.

As previously reported, Azis Syamsuddin challenged the KPK Public Prosecutor (JPU) to open the CCTV in the living room in his former office.

This was conveyed by the former Deputy Chairperson of the Golkar Party to answer the former Head of the Central Lampung Highways Office, Taufik Rahman, who was a witness in his case.

While testifying, Taufik said that Edi Sujarwo, who claimed to be Azis' confidant, arranged a meeting with Azis the next day, on Friday, July 21, 2017 at the Indonesian Parliament Building.

"That the meeting that the witness told me on July 21, I asked the Public Prosecutor to open the CCTV because so many people met me, every regent wants to meet me, every regional head wants to meet me," Azis said at the meeting. Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor), Monday, December 27.