Alexander Marwata Considers Article 36 Of The KPK Law Can Make A Polemic: I Met The Acting Officers Who Became A Suspect Several Times

Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Alexander Marwata at the South Jakarta District Court, Thursday (14/12/2023). BETWEEN/Ilham Kausar

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Alexander Marwata assessed that Article 36 of the KPK Law caused a polemic.

The article contains the prohibition of KPK members from meeting directly with suspects or parties related to corruption cases.

The statement was made when the sole judge for the pre-principal trial of Firli Bahuri, Imelda Herawati questioned the code of ethics in force at the KPK regarding the meeting with litigants.

According to Alex, the regulation is more of a ban on holding meetings with litigants or suspects.

"But once again, we have to tell the judge's mother, hold meetings, meet, meet, those are three different things," Alex said during a trial at the South Jakarta District Court, Thursday, December 14.

"To hold a meeting, there must be an agreement between A and B. When holding a meeting there must be an intention, something is being discussed. This may be my opinion, right," he continued.

When holding a meeting, said Alex, there must be an intention behind it, such as discussing the handling of cases.

However, if what happens is accidentally meeting or meeting the litigants, then, according to him, it is not a violation.

"When dealing with the suspect, there must be bad intentions, discussing the case. So it's not just a meeting or as if for example I met while walking in the mall with the suspect who has not been detained," he said.

"Suddenly there was a photo shoot, I met (meeting) it was something that was not planned or when I played tennis suddenly the suspect came to see me with no promises and in crowded places, nothing was discussed," continued Alex.

Alex admitted that he had met several state officials who ended up being named suspects by the KPK. However, there was no discussion about the handling of the case.

On that basis, Article 36 of the KPK Law, called Alexander, caused a polemic to date. However, it is said, the regulation emphasizes the elements of holding meetings with litigants.

"Then where are the problems, I sometimes think like that, Mrs. Judge, and that often causes polemics even now," said Alex.