KPK Calls Denny Indrayana-Bambang Widjojanto Latah When Mardani Maming's Accusations Are Criminalized

Bambang Widjojanto (second right) and Denny Indrayana (right) as attorneys for Mardani H Maming at the South Jakarta District Court, Tuesday 12 June. (Inter-Galih P)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) denies that it has criminalized the former Tanah Bumbu Regent, Mardani H. Maming. This denial answers the accusations made by Denny Indrayana and Bambang Widjojanto.

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, said the accusations of criminalization made by Mardani's former attorneys, Denny Indrayana and Bambang Widjojanto, were common but could not be justified.

He understands that legal counsel is in charge of defending his clients. However, Ali reminded that the accusation of criminalization was misguided.

"The interest of a defender who is suspected of being a corruption suspect who is wrapped in the argument of criminalization by the KPK is normal but wrong," said Ali in a written statement to reporters, Thursday, August 4.

The accusation of criminalization, said Ali, is also a form of laziness from many parties who defend corruption suspects. The reason is that the determination of the suspect is part of the criminal law enforcement policy.

Thus, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reminds anyone, including two former attorneys for Mardani, not to accuse criminals of criminalization.

"The allegation that the Corruption Eradication Commission has committed criminalization is just a lie," he said.

"So don't then, when there are differences of opinion, then accuse criminalization as a reason to justify an interest that seems to prioritize the noble values of advocates," continued Ali.

Moreover, the KPK has always been committed to investigating allegations of corruption in the fairest way possible. All legal requirements have been complied with.

Former Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights (Wamenkumham) Denny Indrayana through his written statement believes that Mardani is a victim of criminalization. Moreover, in the pretrial hearing some time ago, a lot of evidence was presented, although the judge rejected the application.

"As long as there is evidence in the pretrial, we still believe this is a criminalization of business transactions. This is competition and business takeover by using legal instruments," he told reporters in a written statement, Wednesday, August 3.

Similarly, Bambang Widjojanto also believes that Mardani is a victim of harmful criminalization. Moreover, the crimes investigated by the KPK are actually not related to allegations of corruption but business transactions.

"This underlying is a business transaction. Business competition cannot be criminalized because it will undermine trust," he said.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Mardani a suspect in the alleged bribery and gratification of a mining business permit in Tanah Bumbu Regency. He was named the suspect as the recipient, while the giver, Hendry Soetio, who was the controller of PT Prolindo Cipta Nusantara (PCN) had died.

Even though he died, the KPK confirmed that investigators had received evidence related to Mardani's acceptance. He is believed to have earned money from Hendry from 2014 to 2020.

The amount of money that Mardani received through his trusted people and his company reached Rp104.3 billion.