Andi Arief's Summons Regarding Allegations Of Regent's Bribery Has Nothing To Do With Politics, KPK: Everyone Called Must Attend!

DOK VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has denied allegations that the summons of the chairman of the Democratic Bappilu Andi Arief is related to political motives.

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, confirmed that Andi Arief was summoned for questioning purely because of law enforcement.

He said Andi's statement was needed to investigate the alleged bribery that ensnared North Penajam Paser Regent (PPU) Abdul Gafur Ma'sud and Balikpapan Democratic DPC Treasurer Nur Afifah Balqis.

"When the investigative team summoned the witnesses in this case, of course there was no other purpose but because of the need for the investigation process of the case in question," Ali said in a written statement to reporters, Wednesday, March 30.

Ali said that the KPK had never looked at political backgrounds in investigating corruption allegations. All case investigations are carried out in a professional manner in accordance with applicable regulations.

Thus, Ali reminded that anyone who is called as a witness must be present in order to show obedience to the legal process.

"KPK in dealing with every corruption case does not look at the socio-political background of the perpetrators but is purely law enforcement," said Ali.

"So whoever is called as a witness is obliged to attend to fulfill the summons because it is part of obedience to the legal process," he added.

It was previously reported that Andi Arief was not present when summoned by the KPK on Monday, March 28 yesterday. In fact, he will be examined as a witness to investigate the alleged corruption that ensnared Abdul Gafur.

Andi even accused the Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, of having mis-spoke about summoning him as a witness. The Democrat Party politician also admitted that he had not received a summons from the anti-corruption commission.

"Was I summoned today for the case of the North Panajam Regent's Gratification? First, where is my summons," Andi said as quoted from his Twitter account @Andiarief__ on Monday, March 28.

In addition, he admitted that he was surprised why he was suddenly linked to the bribery case. Andi then questioned what the purpose of the summons was.

In fact, the Democrat Party politician actually summoned Ali Fikri back to the DPP of the Democratic Party officially. "The KPK spokesman said the wrong thing or deliberately treated me like this? I will call the official KPK spokesman to the DPP," he said.

Not only that, Andi also demanded an apology from Ali Fikri for spreading hoaxes and being unprofessional to his detriment.

Then, still quoted from his Twitter, Andi admitted that he had reported to members of Commission III of the DPR RI from the Democratic Party Faction.

He asked his colleague who is a legislator to summon Ali Fikri as Acting Spokesman for the KPK to explain the motive for the announcement, which Andi considered, as untrue news or hoaxes.

"I have reported members of Commission 3 of the Democratic Party of Representatives to summon the spokesman for the KPK and what is the motive for announcing false news indiscriminately," he said.