Investigators Become Case Brokers, KPK Promises To Make Repairs

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri (Photo: KPK Public Relations Documentation)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) promised to make improvements in its internal system. This is done to close the loopholes for criminal acts such as those committed by police investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju, who is a suspect in brokering a corruption case.

"We will conduct a study to make improvements," said KPK chairman Firli Bahuri in a press conference broadcast on the KPK RI YouTube account, Thursday night, April 22.

The study will later improve various admissions systems, from recruitment to employee coaching. "Is it related to human resources or other resources, including facilities and infrastructure," he said.

Furthermore, the former Deputy for Corruption Eradication of the Corruption Eradication Commission emphasized that his party was not allergic to changes and even supported if these changes were intended for good. Moreover, the attitude of the supervisory board, leadership, and KPK employees is a reflection of determining whether the anti-corruption commission is good or bad in the eyes of the public.

"We are not allergic to improvements and we support a change. Change is inevitable. If we want to be good, we have to make changes, if we want to be perfect we have to do it," he said.

Previously reported, the KPK named an investigator, namely Stepanus Robin Pattuju (SRP) and the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial (MS) as bribery suspects related to the handling of corruption cases. In addition, the KPK also named another suspect who was a lawyer, namely Maskur Husain (MH).

The three of them became suspects in a bribery case related to the handling of the Tanjungbalai Mayor's corruption case.

Flow of the case

KPK chairman Firli Bahuri uncovered bribery collusion related to the handling of the case of the Mayor of Tanjungbalai, North Sumatra, M Syahrial (MS). There was a meeting attended by KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju with the Mayor of Tanjungbalai at the house of Deputy Speaker of the DPR Azis Syamsuddin.

"In October 2020, SRP (Stepanus Robin Pattuju, KPK investigator) held a meeting with MS (Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial) at the AZ official residence (Azis Syamsuddin) Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament," said Firli Bahuri at a press conference at the KPK building, Thursday , The evening of April 22nd.

During the meeting, Firli Bahuri mentioned that Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Azis Syamsuddin, introduced KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju (SRP) with the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial (MS).

"Because it is suspected that MS has a problem related to the investigation of suspected corruption in the Tanjung Balai City Government which is being carried out by the KPK so that it does not go up to the investigation stage and asks SRP to help so that later the investigation problem is not followed up by the KPK," he explained.

Following up on the meeting at the house of Deputy Speaker of the DPR Azis Syamsuddin, KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju (SRP) introduced lawyer Maskur Husain (MH) to the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial (MS).

"SRP together with MH (Maskur Husain, lawyer) agreed to make a commitment with MS (Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial) regarding the investigation of alleged corruption in the Tanjungbalai City Government not to be followed up by the KPK by preparing Rp1.5 billion," said Firli.

Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial approved the request of KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju (SRP) and lawyer Maskur Husain (MH). MS transferred money through the account of Riefka Amalia, a friend of a KPK investigator. The Mayor of Tanjungbalai also gave cash to KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju (SRP).

"Until the total money that SRP has received is Rp1.3 billion," he said.

"After the money was received, SRP reiterated to MS with a guarantee of certainty that the investigation into the alleged corruption in the Tanjung Balai City Government would not be followed up by the KPK," he added.

From the money given by the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial, lawyer Maskur Husain received a total of Rp.525 million through KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju (SRP). MH is suspected of also receiving money from other parties of around Rp. 200 million.

"Meanwhile, the SRP (KPK investigator) from October 2020 to April 2021 is also suspected of receiving money from other parties through bank transfer in the name of RA (Riefka Amalia) amounting to Rp.438 million," said Firli.