Asks BW To Be Removed From Maming's Attorney, KPK: Those Who Were Once Leaders Are Still Institutionally Bound

Acting KPK Spokesperson Ali Fikri (Photo; KPK Public Relations DOK)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has asked for the names of members of the DKI Jakarta Governor's Team for the Acceleration of Development (TGUPP) Bambang Widjojanto or BW to be removed from the list of legal counsel who accompanied former Tanah Bumbu Regent Mardani Maming in a pretrial hearing.

In a request submitted to the South Jakarta District Court (PN), the KPK law firm said BW had to be removed for several reasons.

First, he served as Deputy Chairman of the KPK for the period 2011-2015 and still has a legal relationship with the respondent at the pretrial hearing, namely the KPK so that there has been a conflict of interest.

"Although Dr. Bambang Widjojanto is no longer the head of the KPK (Vice Chair), there is still a relationship between Mr. Dr. Bambang Widjojanto and the KPK (the respondent) because the KPK is obliged to provide legal assistance and security protection," the legal team's request was quoted as saying. KPK read out at the South Jakarta District Court, Wednesday, July 20.

When asked to confirm this point, Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, said that everyone who had been the head of the anti-corruption commission would continue to be bound. Moreover, the KPK can provide legal assistance to them whenever needed.

"This means that the KPK is currently still able to provide legal assistance to all former KPK leaders whenever needed. So, all people who have been KPK leaders are still bound by the KPK as an institution," Ali told VOI, Wednesday, July 20.

Apart from a conflict of interest, BW's name was asked to be dropped because of his position as the Head of the Legal and Corruption Prevention Division of the DKI Jakarta Governor TGUPP. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that the pretrial applicant Mardani Maming was also a shareholder and/or became a board member with companies running businesses in DKI Jakarta, including PT Batulicin Six Sembilan.

This condition also has the potential to create a conflict of interest between the duties and functions of BW as a member of the DKI Jakarta Governor's TGUPP and his position as a legal representative.

"Based on the description above, the granting of power of attorney from the Petitioner to Mr. Dr. Bambang Widjojanto violates the laws and regulations so that the power of attorney granted by the Petitioner to Mr. Dr. Bambang Widjojanto is invalid and null and void."

Previously reported, Mardani filed a pretrial lawsuit to the South Jakarta District Court after receiving a letter of naming the suspect from the KPK. The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) appointed members of the Governor's Team for the Acceleration of Development (TGUPP) DKI Jakarta Bambang Widjojanto and former Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights (Wamenkumham) Denny Indrayana as legal counsel.

The chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) has been named a suspect in alleged bribery and gratification related to mining permits in Tanah Bumbu, Kalimantan. This corrupt practice allegedly occurred when Mardani was still in office.

The determination of Maming as a suspect by the KPK was initially known from the Directorate General of Immigration when confirming the existence of prevention abroad. Meanwhile, the KPK has not made an announcement because efforts to force detention have not been carried out.