Aliza Gunado 'Cornered' When Testifying For Azis Syamsuddin: I Don't Know, Your Majesty

Four witnesses in a witness examination hearing for the accused, former Deputy Speaker of the DPR from the Golkar Party faction, Azis Syamsuddin, at the Corruption Crime Court (Tipikor) Jakarta, Monday (3/1/2022). (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - Aliza Gunado denied being an intermediary in managing the Central Lampung Regency special allocation funds (DAK) from the Revised State Budget for the 2017 fiscal year through former Deputy Speaker of the DPR Azis Syamsuddin.

Aliza, who has been mentioned as a close person to Azis Syamsuddin in the trial, also denied knowing three people from Central Lampung Regency, namely the former Head of the Lamteng Highways Service, Taufik Rahman, the former Head of the Central Lampung Highways Office, Aan Riyanto, and a consultant in Lamteng named Darius. treasurer.

"You said that you were introduced to Aliza, is this really Aliza?" asked Member Judge Fahzal Hendri at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor), reported by Antara, Monday, January 3.

"Yes, that's right, you know him, sir," said Darius who was sitting beside Aliza.

"Try to hold the mic Aliza, do you know him?" asked judge Fahzal.

"No, your highness," said Aliza.

"Still not?" asked the judge.

"Still not your highness," replied Aliza.

"He said he didn't know Darius, didn't he?" Judge Fazhal asked Darius.

"I found this person, sir," replied Darius.

"This person who met in Jakarta is also the person?" asked the judge.

"Yes, sir," replied Darius.

"Witness brother Aan, is this Aliza Gunado the person?" asked Hakim Fazhal.

"Yes, Your Honor," answered Aan, who was also presented as a witness.

"Brother Aliza doesn't know him?" Hakim Fazhal asked Aliza.

"No, Your Majesty," replied Aliza.

"Brother Taufik Rahman, did you mention Aliza Gunado's name, do you know that person?" Hakim Fazhal asked Taufik Rahman.

"Know Your Majesty, this is the correct person," replied Taufik Rahman.

"Brother Aliza, do you know this person? Don't you?" Judge Fazhal asked Aliza.

"I don't know," said Aliza.

"Yes, three people say they know you, only you who don't know," said Hakim Fazhal.

Taufik Rahman also recounted his meeting with Aliza on July 22, 2017, at the Veranda hotel along with a person who is also mentioned as a confidant of Azis Syamsuddin named Edi Sujarwo.

"When he (Aliza) met me, he asked why he wasn't involved in managing the DAK anymore but instead moved to Jarwo. Aliza told me which person Mr. Azis was, Jarwo was a field person. I answer, it's not important who the person is, what important is DAK will be granted. So I just asked to fix it between them. Then on Saturday, July 22, Aliza came to the Veranda hotel, came to see me, Aliza said it could be granted through them," said Taufik.

"Have the two of them collaborated?" asked judge Fazhal.

"Yes," answered Taufik.

Aliza and Edi Sujarwo then asked for a "fee" of 8 percent from the 2017 APBN-P DAK Lamteng of Rp2.085 billion. The money was obtained from various sources including a loan from Darius in the amount of Rp500 million, Rp600 million from Lamteng staff members and then it was handed over on July 22, 2021. Then on July 23, 2021, another Rp950 million was given from two Section Heads at Bina Marga.

"He said Aliza had been handed over to Vio at Vioz Kitchen, said Vio was Jarwo, Mr. Azis' sister," said Taufik.

In the indictment, Azis Syamsuddin was charged with giving bribes of Rp3,099 billion and US$ 36,000 for a total of around Rp3,619 billion to Stepanus Robin Pattuju and lawyer Maskur Husain related to the KPK investigation in Central Lampung.

However, Azis denied Taufik's statement.

"I declare for the sake of Allah, for the sake of the Messenger of Allah and I swear on the name of my family that I have never had a brother or sister, either biological or adopted because I am the youngest of five children and I have never stated that Edi Sujarwo or Aliza Gunado were on staff or people I trust," said Azis.