As A Suspect In The Alleged SYL Blackmail, Firli Bahuri Faces Life In Prison

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri/DOC. VIA Antara

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri has officially been named a suspect in alleged extortion of the former Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo. In this case, Firli faces life imprisonment.

The threat of imprisonment is because investigators suspect it of Article 12e, 12B or Article 11 of Law number 31 of 1999 concerning the eradication of criminal acts of corruption in conjunction with Article 65 of the Criminal Code.

"The alleged criminal act of corruption is in the form of extortion or receiving gratuities or accepting gifts or promises by state officials related to their position," said Director of Special Criminal Investigation at Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Ade Safri Simanjuntak to journalists, Wednesday, November 22.

Article 12 e concerning the Corruption Eradication Law contains civil servants or state administrators who are meant to benefit themselves or others unlawfully or by abusing their power. Forcing someone to give something, pay or accept payment with deductions or do something for themselves.

Meanwhile, Article 12 B paragraph (2) states the sanctions that will be given. Where, any gratification against civil servants or state administrators or which is related to their position and which is contrary to their obligations or duties can be punished by life imprisonment.

"In paragraph two, it is stated that the punishment for civil servants or state administrators as referred to in paragraph 1 is life imprisonment or imprisonment for a minimum of four years and a maximum of 20 years and a fine of at least IDR 200 million and a maximum of IDR 1 billion," he said.

Then, in Article 11 of Law number 31 of 1999 concerning the eradication of criminal acts of corruption, sanctions are also stated in the form of being punished with imprisonment for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years and/or a penalty of at least IDR 50 million and a maximum of IDR 250 million.

Meanwhile, Firli Bahuri was officially named a suspect based on the results of the case held on Wednesday, November 22, afternoon.

"A case has been carried out with the result that sufficient evidence was found to name FB as chairman of the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Committee as a suspect," said Ade.

Some of the evidence that is the basis for determining a suspect includes witness statements and electronic evidence.

There were 91 witnesses who had been questioned. They include Syahrul Yasin Limpo, former aide to Firli Bahuri, Kevin Egananta. Then there is Semarang Police Chief Commissioner Irwan Anwar, Director of the KPK Dumas Tomi Murtomo, as well as two former KPK leaders Saut Situmorang and M Jasin.

Meanwhile, there are around 8 experts consisting of criminal law, micro expression and procedural law experts.