Seeing The Opportunity Azis Syamsudin Is Called After Introducing KPK Investigators To The Mayor Of Tanjungbalai

Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament Azis Syamsuddin. (Photo: Instagram @ azissyamsuddin.korpolkam)

JAKARTA - The name of Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament Azis Syamsuddin is widely mentioned in connection with the bribery case against the case termination which ensnared the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator, AKP Stepanus Robin Patujju. Then, could this Golkar Party politician be summoned by the anti-graft commission in investigating the bribery case?

Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Firli Bahuri, cannot explain in detail regarding the dragging of Azis' name in this case. However, it is certain that Azis will soon be summoned by the investigators who are investigating this case.

It is hoped that this examination can unravel the common thread in the case that ensnared the three suspects, namely KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Patujju, Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial, and lawyer Maskur Husan.

"That's the interest of the investigation. As soon as I said earlier. If possible, Monday, we will examine it. If (no, ed) Tuesday, as soon as possible," said Firli in a press conference held on Saturday, April 24.

The former KPK Deputy for Enforcement said that his party would clearly reveal Azis' involvement. "We will continue to make efforts to reveal as clearly as possible the case and what AZ was doing as Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament," he said.

Azis knew Stepanus from his aide

Azis' involvement in this case began after he introduced Stepanus to M Syahrial, who was in a legal case related to the sale and purchase of positions in the Tanjungbalai City Government. He allegedly knew Stepanus from his aide who was both from the Bhayangkara Corps.

"It is suspected that he knew the person concerned from AZ adjutant (Azis Syamsuddin) who is also a member of the National Police," said Acting KPK spokesperson for prosecution Ali Fikri to VOI, Friday, April 23.

However, this allegation will still be investigated further. Of course, this entails summoning these politicians.

"Later it will be further explored at the stage of examination at the investigation," he said.

The meeting between Azis, Stepanus, and M Syahrial took place in October 2020. The beginning of this collusion took place at the official residence occupied by Azis.

This meeting and introduction was suspected because M Syahrial had legal problems and was still at the level of investigation. Furthermore, to make sure that the case did not go up to investigation, M Syahrial bribed Stepanus in the amount of Rp1.5 billion.

ICW asked the KPK to investigate the relationship between Stepanus and Azis

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Kurnia Ramadhana urged the KPK to investigate the relationship between Stepanus and Azis. This is because the meeting that took place in October 2020 felt strange, especially after it was discovered that the meeting took place at Azis Syamsuddin's official residence.

"Was it their first meeting or had they communicated before?" asked Kurnia in his written statement.

Not only that, Kurnia also questioned the security of information about the corruption case investigation at the KPK. Because, he wondered how Azis Syamsudin knew if there was a case being investigated by the KPK.

"In this case, it must be answered, how does he know that the KPK is conducting an investigation into the alleged corruption in Tanjungbalai," said the anti-corruption activist.

Kurnia suspects that information has leaked from the internal anti-graft commission related to this investigation. This, he said, needs to be investigated further.

"The KPK must immediately issue an investigation warrant on the suspicion of Article 15 of the Corruption Eradication Law which regulates assistance in the Corruption case," he concluded.