KPK: Corruptors Now Receive The Verdict But Not Long To Submit A Review, What's Up?

Corruptors arrested by the KPK (Photo: KPK Public Relations)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Alexander Marwata said there was an interesting phenomenon related to the application for judicial review (PK) submitted by corruptors. According to him, the recent corruptors prefer to accept legal decisions at the first level and without filing an appeal.

"The defendant immediately accepted the verdict at that time, he also did not file an appeal but immediately PK. This is an interesting phenomenon of course and what's the matter," Alexander said in an online conference held on Friday night, October 2.

Even though it does not prohibit submissions for judicial review (PK), the KPK pays attention to the existence of such a phenomenon. He gave an example, for example a corruptor was sentenced to 10 years in prison but had only served his sentence for 6 months, suddenly he submitted a PK and was accepted and then the sentence was cut in half. Even the KPK cannot do anything, because PK is the last legal step that must be respected.

Regarding the dozens of cases that were circumcised by the Supreme Court (MA), Alex asked them to immediately provide a copy of the official decision. Because, he wanted to see what the judges considered in reducing the punishment of the corruptors.

Moreover, at the level of PK, there are usually two reasons to consider whether this request is granted. First, there are novum findings or new evidence and second, there are real judges' mistakes, for example at the first court level there are legal facts that cannot be translated.

Likewise with the decision of the former Chairman of the Democratic Party, Anas Urbaningrum. The KPK hopes that they can receive a copy of the official decision on Anas's sentence cut. This is because the KPK wants to know where the element of judge's mistake was the reason for the cut in the sentence. So that in the future, this kind of thing will no longer happen.

"Of course, later we will see after we get a copy of the verdict, what will be the consideration of the PK panel. If there is an error in which the panel of judges is at what point, of course it will be an improvement in the future," he said.

"But in principle, the KPK respects the judge's decision," he added.

[/ read_more]

It is known that the Supreme Court cut the sentence of former Democratic Party Chairman Anas Urbaningrum from 14 years in prison to eight years in the Hambalang case.

"Sentenced Anas Urbaningrum to imprisonment for 8 years plus a fine of Rp. 300 million subsidiary three months," said spokesman Andi Samsan Nangro to reporters, Wednesday, September 30. The Supreme Judge Review Board (PK) chaired by Sunarto and accompanied by Andi Samsan Nganro and Mohammad Askin as member judges, also imposed an additional sentence on Anas.

"Imposing an additional sentence against Anas Urbaningrum in the form of revocation of the right to be elected in public office for 5 years starting from the time the convict has finished serving the basic sentence," he added.

Andi then explained that the reasons for the PK petition based on the judge's mistake could be justified by a number of considerations.

Before Anas, this judicial institution also cut the sentences of two former Ministry of Home Affairs officials who were caught in the e-KTP megacorruption case, namely the former Director General of Dukcapil of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Irman and Director of Information Management and Administration of the Directorate General of Dukcapil Sugiharto.

In the judicial review decision, Irman's sentence was cut from 15 years in prison at the cassation level to 12 years in prison. Meanwhile, Sugiharto was reduced from 15 years in prison to 10 years in prison.

The terms of their sentences were cut because Irman and Sugiharto were appointed justice collaborators by the KPK. In addition, Sugiharto is considered not the main perpetrator and has provided significant evidence in the corruption case.

[/ read_more]