Kominfo Experts Arrested By AGO After Withdrawing BTS Corruption Case Information At The Corruption Court

Kominfo Expert Walbertus Natalius Wisang (WNW) was taken to the Jampidsus Roundabout building of the Attorney General's Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (19/9/2023). ANTARA/Laily Rahmawaty

JAKARTA - Investigators of the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) at the Attorney General's Office arrested Kominfo Expert Walbertus Natalius Wisang (WNW) after giving testimony at the Jakarta Corruption Court.

The Director of Investigation at the Jampidsus Attorney General's Office, Kuntadi, explained that the forced pick-up of Walbertus was carried out because the person concerned had given incorrect information and illegally revoked the information at trial.

The information, said Kuntadi, was obtained by investigators from the Public Prosecutor (JPU) who was on trial at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta Court.

"Today at around 12 o'clock this afternoon we received information regarding a person's alleged actions, namely a WNW who is suspected of having committed a criminal act in violation of the provisions of Article 21 or Article 22 of the Anti-Corruption Law," Kuntadi said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 19.

With this information, said Kuntadi, his party immediately conducted an examination of Jampidsus investigators to ensure that the Walbertus examination at the investigation stage was correct and had been carried out in accordance with the provisions of the applicable law.

Walbertus was examined as a witness in the investigation of the alleged corruption case of the BTS 4G Kominfo construction project which cost the state finances Rp8.32 billion on Tuesday (23/5).

After confirming that the information given by Walbertus at the time of the investigation stage was correct and in accordance with the provisions of the law, the investigator immediately made an attempt to force him and took him to the Attorney General's Round Building for questioning.

"After we were sure that the information was correct, on the day we picked him up forcibly for an examination," said Kuntadi.

According to Kuntadi, his party has 1x24 hours to determine whether Walbertus fulfills the elements to be named a suspect in the case of obstruction to the investigation.

"For this action, we have 1x24 hours to determine the attitude, whether the person concerned meets the requirements to commit a criminal act of Article 21 or Article 22 or not," said Kuntadi.

Article 21 of the Anti-Corruption Law states "Everyone who deliberately prevents, obstructs, or thwarts directly or indirectly investigations, prosecutions, and examinations at court hearings against suspects and defendants or witnesses in corruption cases, shall be punished with a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of 12 years or a maximum fine of Rp. 600 million.

Walbertus was arrested after being a witness in the 4G BTS corruption case trial with the defendant former Minister of Communication and Information Johnny G Plate at the Corruption Court, Central Jakarta.

Kuntadi emphasized that Walbertus' status is still being investigated. Investigators are also investigating allegations of violating Article 2 and Article 3 of the Anti-Corruption Law.