Regarding Firli Bahuri, Saut Situmorang: Not Suspected, Yes, I'm Here

KPK chairman Firli Bahuri and Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL while serving as Minister of Agriculture (Mentan). (Ist)

JAKARTA - Former Deputy Chairperson of the KPK, Saut Situmorang, admitted that he would be disappointed if Polda Metro Jaya did not name Firli Bahuri as a suspect in the alleged extortion or gratification case of former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL.

According to him, in the series of cases there were criminal acts that were violated by the KPK chairman, namely Articles 36 and 65 of Law Number 30 of 2002 concerning the Corruption Eradication Commission.

"Yes, if I'm here, I'm not suspected, it's useless for me to come here. It's better if I just talk to you at home, with the media everywhere screaming," said Saut after undergoing examination as a witness at Polda Metro Jaya, Tuesday, October 17.

Meanwhile, Article 36 states that the KPK leadership is prohibited from having direct or indirect relationships with suspects or other parties who are related to corruption cases handled by the KPK for any reason.

Meanwhile, Article 65 concerning every member of the KPK who violates the provisions as referred to in Article 36, shall be sentenced to a maximum imprisonment of five years.

His belief in alleged violation of the rules was strengthened by the circulation of photos featuring a meeting between Firli Bahuri and SYL.

At that time, Firli had denied it. However, corrected his own statement and acknowledged the existence of the meeting.

"There was something interesting when there was a denial, right, I didn't find it, so when I found the photo, 'oh, I didn't discuss it', it would be interesting to investigate," he said.

Apart from that, Saut hopes that the Polda Metro Jaya will continue to thoroughly investigate the case. So, the real facts can be revealed soon.

"We hope it must be followed up, it looks like the signal is quite strong from the National Police Chief and his team here to follow up later. I also saw that signal, so I came here," said Saut.

Meanwhile, the series of cases of alleged extortion or acceptance of gratuities by the KPK leadership against Syahrul Yasin Limpo began when Polda Metro Jaya received Dumas on August 12, 2023.

With the complaint, the Tipidkor Sub-Directorate of the Ditreskrimsus Polda Metro Jaya collected information on the basis of a statement collection order (pulbaket) issued on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

Not long after, investigators issued an investigation warrant on August 21. At this stage, a number of witnesses were examined, one of which was SYL.

Then, after the series of investigations were completed, investigators carried out a case title. As a result, a criminal element was found so that the status of the case was upgraded to the investigation stage.