The Empty Hand Of KPK Investigators When Forcibly Picking Up Mardani Maming Leads To Threats For Issuing DPO

KPK Building/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) plans to forcibly pick up former Tanah Bumbu Regent Mardani H. Maming at one of his apartments in Jakarta. However, he was not found so the anti-corruption commission threatened to publish a wanted list (DPO).

Efforts to pick up Mardani at an apartment in the Jakarta area had to end empty-handed. The reason is that he was not found when the activity was held on Monday, July 25 yesterday.

"The information we have received is that the KPK team has not found the suspect at the intended place," said Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, to reporters on Monday, July 25.

The forced pick-up was carried out because Mardani was absent twice when he was summoned as a suspect in the alleged bribery and gratification of a mining business permit in Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan. He was considered uncooperative.

"KPK can carry out forced pick-ups and gradually issue DPOs which we will publish openly to the public," said Ali.

Ali asked people who knew about Mardani's whereabouts to inform the KPK and the law enforcement authorities. "Because we all hope that the eradication of corruption can be carried out effectively and efficiently while still upholding the principles of human rights and justice," he said.

Meanwhile, Denny Indrayana, who is Mardani Maming's attorney, said that his party did not know the whereabouts of his client. He even admitted that his encounter took place several days ago before the forced pick-up was carried out.

"When was the last time, it's been a few days, I also have to check on my cellphone when was the last time (communication with Mardani, ed)," said Denny Indrayana after a pretrial hearing at the South Jakarta District Court (PN).

He then asked the anti-corruption commission to be patient before rushing to arrest his client. Moreover, the pretrial hearing that was submitted to challenge Mardani's legal status will be decided on Wednesday, July 27.

In addition, Denny as Mardani's attorney also believes that his client will win the pretrial lawsuit. "We also ask for a two-day delay," he said.

"Can the verdict (pretrial, ed) we win, it doesn't need to be examined anyway. If we win (status, ed) the suspect dies," said Denny.

Mardani 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) has also been 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 Rp89 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.