Azis Syamsuddin Is Increasingly 'cornered', Named In The Bribery Case And Work Space Until His House Is Ransacked By The KPK

Deputy Chairman of the DPR, Aziz Syamsuddin. (Puspa Perwitasari / Antara)

JAKARTA - The involvement of Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament, Azis Syamsuddin, in the alleged bribery to stop the case investigation which ensnared one of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators from the police, Stepanus Robin Pattuju, continues to be investigated.

The name Azis is said to be the party who introduced Stepanus to the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial, who was the party in the case of buying and selling positions in the Tanjungbalai City Government. This introduction took place at the official residence of the Golkar Party politician.

As a step in investigating this case, the KPK then searched for evidence. KPK chairman Firli Bahuri said that investigators had searched three locations for evidence of Azis' participation and one of them was his room in the Indonesian Parliament Building, Senayan Jakarta.

"KPK investigators (conducted, red) searched various locations, namely the work room in the Indonesian Parliament, official residences, and private homes", Firli said in a written statement to reporters, Wednesday, April 28.

The former Deputy for Enforcement did not explain in detail what evidence the investigator had found. This is because the search was still ongoing when he sent his written statement.

Not only that, but Firli also asked the public to be patient and follow this case. Patience is needed because the KPK needs time to look for evidence in the bribery case.

"The KPK will work hard to find evidence and a person can become a suspect because of his actions or circumstances based on sufficient initial evidence and sufficient evidence", he said.

This active search was also confirmed by the Deputy Chairman of the Honorary Council of the Indonesian Parliament Habiburokhman. He said the anti-graft commission investigating team came to the Indonesian Parliament Building, namely the Nusantara III Building at 18.00 WIB.

Azis Syamsuddin's room itself is on the 4th floor. The investigators then took the elevator carrying 5 suitcases.

"Yes, that's right. Earlier from the KPK, we checked Pak Azis' room according to the main duties and functions of our Honorary Council", said Habiburokhman, Wednesday, April 28.

He said previously there were activities outside before assisting the KPK. "I'm from the electoral district here from Cawang", he continued.

It is necessary to immediately check Azis

Indonesia Corruption Watch researcher Kurnia Ramadhana emphasized that the KPK should immediately investigate Azis. Moreover, in the alleged bribery, the role of the Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament was clearly stated as the party suspected of facilitating the meeting between Stepanus and the Mayor of Tanjungbalai.

Not only that, but the KPK has also mentioned that Azis specifically asked Stepanus to assist in handling the ongoing corruption case.

"Azis' examination as a witness also aims to determine how the Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament can know the ins and outs of handling cases at the KPK", said Kurnia in his written statement.

For example, the allegations made in the announcement of the case are proven, so the KPK should have named Azis Syamsuddin as a suspect on suspicion of violating Article 15 of the Corruption Eradication Law.

This article regulates the threat of punishment for any person who carries out an experiment, co-operation, or conspiracy to commit a criminal act of corruption.

"There is only one option for the KPK, namely raising the status of the case to investigate and establishing Azis as a suspect on suspicion of violating Article 15 of the Corruption Act", he said.

This case began after the KPK appointed its investigator, Stepanus Robin Pattuju, a lawyer named Maskur Husain, and Tanjungbalai Mayor M. Syahrial as suspects in the alleged bribery case in the handling of the sale and purchase of positions at the Tanjungbalai City Government.

Stepanus Robin Pattuju and Maskur Husain are suspected of having received a bribe from M. Syahrial amounting to IDR 1.3 billion from the IDR 1.5 billion deal. The bribe was given so that Stepanus would help stop the investigation into the alleged sale and purchase of positions in Tanjungbalai that the KPK is currently investigating.

Apart from the bribe from Syahrial, Markus Husain is also suspected of receiving IDR 200 million from another party. Meanwhile, Stepanus from October 2020 to April 2021 is also suspected of receiving money from other parties through bank transfer in the name of Riefka Amalia, amounting to IDR 438 million.