Answered By Mardani Maming In Pretrial, KPK Will Confirm Status Of Suspects According To The Rules

Mardani H. Maming/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that it is ready to answer a pretrial lawsuit filed by former Tanah Bumbu Regent Mardani H. Maming. An explanation regarding the determination of the suspect will be presented before a panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court (PN) today, Wednesday, July 20.

"We have prepared all the answers and they will be presented in full in front of the judge," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Ali Fikri told reporters, Wednesday, July 20.

Ali said there were several things that would be explained before the panel of judges. From this explanation, the reason for Mardani as the reporting party to file a pretrial is not proven.

"One of them (as stated, ed) is the matter of reaffirming that what the KPK has done, both in the investigation process and in the investigation of this case, is in accordance with the rules and legal mechanisms," he said.

"So the reasons and arguments of the petitioners are completely unfounded," continued Ali.

In addition, the anti-corruption commission will also explain several other things related to the handling of this case before the panel of judges. "We will also describe the position and validity of the applicant's power in the said pre-trial application," he said.

Mardani, through his attorney, Denny Indrayana, said that the KPK was inconsistent in the use of articles. This has led them to believe that the investigation into allegations of bribery and gratification at the Tanah Bumbu Regency Government is illegal.

Denny said that his party received a document with a different article applied to his client. With this condition, the KPK is considered inconsistent in its efforts to handle the law.

Previously, Mardani Maming filed a pretrial lawsuit to the South Jakarta District Court because he felt he was being criminalized. He was named a suspect after being prevented from going abroad by the Directorate General of Immigration at the request of the KPK. Before being named a suspect, the General Treasurer of the Nahdlaltul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) was also investigated.

However, after being questioned, he admitted that he was asked for information regarding his problem with the owner of PT Jhonlin Group Samsudin Andi Arsyad alias Haji Isam.

Even so, Maming's name was actually mentioned as receiving Rp 89 billion in money in a trial for alleged bribery for a mining business permit (IUP) in Tanah Bumbu Regency which was held at the Tipikor Court, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Kalsel).

This allegation was conveyed by the younger brother of former President Director of PT Prolindo Cipta Nusantara (PCN) Henry Soetio, Christian Soetio. At that time, Christian claimed to know that there was a flow of funds to the former Regent of Tanah Bumbu Mardani H Maming through PT Permata Abadi Raya (PAR) and PT Trans Surya Perkasa (TSP).

The money transfer has been going on since 2014. The amount of tens of billions of rupiah is referred to as the amount quoted based on PT PCN's financial statements.