JAKARTA - The issuance of three investigation warrants in the coal corruption case is considered to show that investigators have seen a series of events and sufficient evidence to investigate the case.
Former Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General (Purn.) Anton Charliyan, said the three sprindik indicated that there were several suspected criminal incidents or links between the crime scene, evidence, and witnesses that led to certain parties.
"This matter has entered a more serious and concrete stage of law enforcement," said Inspector General Purn. Anton Charliyan, who is familiarly known as Abah Anton, said in a statement received on Sunday, July 19.
However, he emphasized that the sprindik was not a guilty verdict. Investigators must still prove the construction of the case in a professional, objective, transparent, and free from conflicts of interest.
According to Abah Anton, the Attorney General's Office needs to explain the alleged acts, the parties who have gained profits, the value of state losses, the flow of funds, as well as the relationship between money and gold found with the case being investigated.
He assessed that the claim that the money and gold belonged to private parties or others was not enough to be conveyed orally.
The suspect's testimony is only one part of the chain of evidence. Criminal investigations should not rely on confessions because suspects can deny them, make scenarios to get away, or shift the burden to others.
"All claims must be tested through ownership documents, sources of income, transaction traces, LHKPN, tax reports, related accounts, and tracing the actual beneficial owners," he said.
However, Abah Anton reminded that the discovery of assets in a certain place does not automatically prove that the assets originate from corruption. Investigators must still link it to a criminal act through valid evidence.
If the investigation proves corruption, bribery, gratification, abuse of authority, or money laundering, he asks that the punishment be imposed in a severe and proportionate manner.
All the proceeds of crime must also be confiscated for the state, substitute money is charged to the perpetrator, state losses are recovered, and the right to occupy public office can be revoked.
On the other hand, if the investigation fails to prove the case, the state must respect the principle of presumption of innocence and restore the rights and good name of those who are not proven to be involved.
Abah Anton considers this case to be a test for the credibility of the Attorney General's Office. Three sprindik, according to the former West Java Police Chief, must not stop as administrative documents without clear evidence and can be tested in court.
"Law enforcement should not follow the pressure of public opinion, but it should not be weakened by the position, power, closeness, or solidarity of institutions," he said.
"The law must stand on the truth and evidence, not under the shadow of power," said Abah Anton.
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