MAKI Says Handling Of Bribery Of KPK Investigators Involving Azis Syamsuddin Is Fading

(Deputy Chairman of the DPR RI M. Azis Syamsuddin. Photo: Mario/Man via dpr.go.id)

JAKARTA - Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) Boyamin Saiman considers the handling of the bribery case of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju, which involved the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Azis Syamsuddin, is starting to fade.

"Nowadays, the handling of the KPK case against (the case, ed) related to Azis Syamsuddin. I don't know if the excuse is because the Emergency PPKM makes the KPK a little slack, yes that can be. But it could also be for other reasons or other obstacles," Boyamin told reporters quoted Tuesday, July 13th.

Even so, he did not specify what the reasons and other obstacles that caused the dim of the examination. Boyamin only asked the KPK to consistently investigate anyone involved in the bribery case of Stepanus 'case broker', including the involvement of Azis Syamsuddin.

"I still ask the KPK to investigate all those who are suspected of being involved. Whoever it is and maybe including Azis Syamsuddin is professional in looking for two pieces of evidence," he said.

"After obtaining two pieces of evidence, automatically (the party, ed) is processed by investigation and then to be brought to court. That's in general first," added this anti-corruption activist.

Furthermore, Boyamin also alluded to the alleged money given by Azis Syamsuddin to Stepanus Robin amounting to Rp3.15 billion. Even though it has been denied, the KPK must continue to investigate and disclose the truth of the incident to the public so that it does not appear that the facts are being covered up.

"KPK must investigate and look for evidence. Is it also suspected that Azis Syamsuddin's gift to Robin Pattuju was related to the case in Central Lampung," he said.

The alleged receipt of the money was revealed in a trial held by the KPK Supervisory Board some time ago. At the trial, Azis was said to have given billions of rupiah in connection with the Central Lampung case to monitor a witness named Aliza Gunado.

However, later Stepanus corrected his statement and denied that he had received billions of rupiah from Azis.

Returning to Boyamin, he confirmed that he would continue to monitor the KPK in investigating the bribery case against Stepanus. "If later there are people who are strongly suspected with sufficient evidence but are not processed by the KPK, as usual, the KPK will sue anyone before a trial," he said.

As previously reported, Azis Syamsuddin's involvement in the bribery case that ensnared Stepanus as a 'case broker' has become clearer.

In reading the indictment at the Medan Corruption Court, the KPK Public Prosecutor (JPU) revealed the initial introduction of the inactive Tanjungbalai Mayor M Syahrial and Stepanus Robin Pattuju which involved the Deputy Speaker of the DPR Azis Syamsuddin.

Mentioned in the indictment, Azis introduced Syahrial to Stepanus at his official residence. This introduction took place in October 2020 where Syahrial, who is a cadre of the Golkar Party, visited Azis, who is also a party official, to discuss the 2021 Regional Head Election (Pilkada).

"At that meeting the defendant and Muhammad Azis Syamsuddin discussed the direct election of regional heads (Pilkada) which the defendant would participate in in Tanjungbalai City and Muhammad Azis Syamsuddin conveyed to the defendant that he would introduce someone who could help monitor the defendant's participation in the election," this is quoted from the indictment of the KPK Public Prosecutor (JPU) which was read out at the Medan Corruption Court, Monday, July 12.

Syahrial then agreed to be introduced to Stepanus. Next, Azis asked the investigator to come and introduce him to the Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial.

At the meeting, the prosecutor revealed that Robin called himself a KPK investigator and showed his identification and mentioned his employee identification number (NIP).

Furthermore, Syahrial explained the purpose of the introduction that he would take part in the 2021 Pilkada but, he received information that there was a report from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) about work and information on the case of buying and selling positions in Tanjungbalai being handled by the KPK.

Receiving the request, Stepanus then agreed and the two exchanged cell phone numbers. Furthermore, the KPK investigator contacted his colleague who is a lawyer, Maskur Husain.

The two discussed requests for assistance in handling cases in Tanjungbalai and Maskur agreed to help as long as the funds prepared reached Rp. 1.5 billion. This request was submitted to Syahrial which was then fulfilled.