KPK Jails Azis Syamsuddin To Tangerang Prison

Azis Syamsuddin (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) through its executor prosecutor sent former Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament Azis Syamsuddin to the Tangerang Class I Correctional Institution (Lapas). He will serve a term of 3.5 years for bribing a former KPK investigator, Stepanus Robin Pattuju.

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, said that the execution was carried out after having permanent legal force and was carried out on Monday, March 7 yesterday.

"KPK Executing Prosecutor Hendra Apriansyah has carried out a decision that has permanent legal force with the convict Muhammad Azis Syamsuddin," Ali said in a written statement, Tuesday, March 8.

Ali said the execution was based on the Corruption Court's decision at the Central Jakarta District Court Number: 89 /Pid.Sus-TPK/2021/PN Jkt. Pst February 17, 2022.

Furthermore, Azis will serve his sentence and will be required to pay a fine of IDR 250 million which has been paid in full through the KPK holding account.

"M. Azis Syamsuddin has paid off through the KPK holding bank account. The Executing Prosecutor will immediately make a deposit to the state treasury as part of asset recovery for corruption cases," said Ali.

Later, after being released, Azis will undergo an additional punishment in the form of revocation of the right to be elected in public office elections for four years starting. This sentence has only been implemented since the former deputy chairman of the Golkar Party finished serving his main sentence.

It was previously reported that Azis was proven to have given bribes worth Rp3.099 billion and US$36,000, bringing the total to around Rp.3.619 billion, to former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju and lawyer Maskur Husain. The goal is to take care of the case involving him and Aliza Gunado in Central Lampung.

For his actions, he was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison and a fine of IDR 250 million subsidiary to four months in prison. In addition, Azis' political rights were also revoked for four years from the time he finished serving his prison term.

The verdict is lower than the demands of the KPK Public Prosecutor (JPU) who requested that Azis be sentenced to four years and two months in prison, plus a fine of IDR 250 million subsidiary to six months in prison.