KPK Threatens To Force Mardani Maming, Legal Counsel: Wait For Pretrial Decision

Denny Indrayana/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The warning from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to forcibly pick up former Tanah Bumbu Regent Mardani H. Maming was answered by his attorney, Denny Indrayana. He asked for the pretrial process that took place at the Jakarta District Court to be respected.

"It would be good and wise, if all parties, us and the KPK, respect the pretrial process that took place at the South Jakarta District Court," said Denny in a written statement to reporters, Friday, July 22.

The investigation process, continued Denny, should wait for the pretrial to be decided so that there is no overlap. After all, the trial process only took seven days.

"Moreover, this process according to the procedural law only lasts 7 days, and there will be a decision on Wednesday, according to the schedule agreed upon by us and the KPK," he said.

In addition, Mardani's legal team has sent a letter to the KPK asking for an investigation into allegations of bribery and gratification in Tanah Bumbu Regency to be carried out after the decision was made. "Let's both respect the pretrial process," said Denny.

Mardani was previously summoned as a suspect on 14 July. However, he was not present on the grounds that the pretrial was still ongoing at the South Jakarta District Court (PN).

Later, the anti-corruption commission sent a second summons. Mardani was asked to cooperate to fulfill the investigator's summons.

The KPK continues to investigate allegations of bribery and gratification at the Tanah Bumbu Regency Government. The name Mardani Maming was once said to have received Rp89 billion in money in a trial for alleged bribery of a mining business license (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.