KPK Regarding Harun Masiku's Proposal Tried In-Absentia: Different Cases But Will Be Considered

KPK interim chairman Nawawi Pomolango (center)/doc PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The interim chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Nawawi Pomolango said the in-absentia trial to try former PDI-P candidate Harun Masiku was possible.

This was conveyed in response to the many proposals so that this case immediately received legal certainty even though Harun is still at large today. In-absentia is that the trial is carried out without the presence of the defendant.

"The law does allow in-absentia judiciary," Nawawi said when confirmed, Friday, January 5.

However, usually this method is used to save the country's wealth. "So that without the presence of the defendant, the case can be examined and decided by the court based on an explanation of Article 38 paragraph (1)," said Nawawi.

"In absentia this is good in cases where the defendant, for example, fled but left behind assets that could cover the state losses incurred. So it is very different from the Harun Masiku case," he continued.

Even so, the anti-corruption commission still opens up opportunities if this method is needed. Because the final goal, continued Nawawi, is to provide legal certainty.

"All possibilities aimed at legal certainty will certainly be considered," he said.

The proposal to try Harun in-absentia was conveyed by the Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) Boyamin Saiman. He encouraged the trial to be carried out even though the former candidate was not clear about his whereabouts.

As previously reported, the KPK recently looked serious looking for Harun Masiku. One of them is by examining former KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan on Thursday, December 28.

During the investigation, Wahyu was not only questioned about Harun's whereabouts. Investigators had asked about the bribery incident that occurred in January 2020.

Meanwhile, Wahyu, after being questioned, said he had explained everything he knew about Harun's bribery. However, he could not tell where Haru was because he did not know.

"Yes, if I know, I will arrest him, help the KPK," Wahyu told reporters at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, December 28.

He hopes that Harun can be caught and tried soon. Wahyu objected that the bribe could still roam even though he had been sentenced to prison.

It is known that Harun Masiku is a suspect in giving bribes to former KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan. This gift was given so that he could sit as a member of the DPR through interim shifts (PAW).

He has been on the wanted list (DPO) since January 29, 2020. Most recently, the KPK informed that the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Interpol Indonesia had issued a red notice on behalf of Harun Masiku on Friday, July 30.