Sickness Are Often Excuses Why Suspects Avoid Being Summoned By KPK

Illustration of KPK's Merah Putih Building in Jakarta. (Doc VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) mentions that many suspects often claim to be unwell when being questioned. This is a mode to avoid being summoned by investigators.

"The public certainly still remembers the various modes of litigation at the KPK, which try to avoid the KPK's examination under the pretext of health conditions, which are actually facilitated by their legal counsel or medical team," said KPK News Section Head Ali Fikri to reporters, Wednesday, September 28.

Ali reminded the suspect that he had to fulfill the summons of investigators, including the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe. Even though he was sick, he still had to come to be examined regarding the alleged corruption that ensnared him.

Moreover, the KPK has not received accurate information from legal counsel regarding Lukas Enembe's condition.

"We have not received valid information from the doctor or medical personnel who explained the condition of the brother LE," he said.

The KPK stated that it would not hesitate to apply Article 21 of the Anti-Corruption Law if there were parties that hindered the investigation. Lawyers should not be the party that hinders allegations of corruption.

The article reads as follows:

"Anyone who intentionally prevents, hinders, or thwarts directly or indirectly the investigation, prosecution and examination in court against suspects and defendants or witnesses in corruption cases, shall be punished with imprisonment for a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 12 years. and or a minimum fine of Rp. 150 million and a maximum of Rp. 600 million."

It was previously reported that Lukas Enembe was not present at the second summons on Monday, September 26. His lawyer, Stefanus Roy Rening, said his client was sick.

"The condition for people to give information is that they must be healthy. If you are sick, how can you give information," said Luke Enembe's attorney, Stefanus Roy Rening, to reporters in Jakarta, Monday, September 26.

Stefanus invited the KPK to come to Luke's house in Papua. He will try to protect the medical team when visiting and seeing his client's condition.

Meanwhile, Lukas' spokesman, M. Rifai Danus, said the Papuan governor had been operated on three times over the past year. He had various surgeries, including heart, pancreatic, and eye surgery.

"On this trip, he was sick, and then he recovered, the last year after he had surgery, three major operations," said Rifai.

The operation has been carried out in Singapore since 2021. Rifai claims, only doctors in the Lion Country can treat Lukas.

"The term is charged there. So this illness is then charged there, it is active again, so what is his trip called, treatment has been scheduled," said Rifai.