KPK Will Continue To Investigate The Fry Export Bribery Case But Wait For The High Court's Decision

Deputy Chairperson of the KPK Alexander Marwata (center) with Acting Spokesperson for Enforcement Ali Fikri/right (KPK PR DOK)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that it will continue to investigate the bribery case for the export of lobster seeds.

However, his party is still waiting for an appeal decision from the DKI Jakarta High Court submitted by the former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo.

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Ali Fikri reasoned that this was done so that no legal facts would change when further investigations were carried out.

"The case (benur, ed) is still rolling in the High Court. So to determine the case has been completed until then the legal facts are completed, there is an inkracht. If later it changes in the District Court, the PT changes the legal facts later we will also be wrong in the investigation case," Ali told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, August 24.

He ensured that this investigation did not depend on the verdict, but that the legal facts from the trial results were usually stronger to support the investigation process. Moreover, the facts of the trial usually have obtained legal force.

"So it's good for us to follow up. That's why I say we will study it first until the case has permanent legal force where that is a legal fact if there is indeed sufficient evidence," said Ali.

"So wait a minute whether the trial facts can become legal facts or not. Because trial facts are not necessarily legal facts. What does that mean? One witness testimony or even 10 witness statements but not related to other evidence, even the defendant's statement does not become a legal fact," he added.

Previously reported, Edhy Prabowo filed an appeal against the 5-year prison sentence handed down by the Corruption Court (Tipikor) at the Central Jakarta District Court.

This application was made because the legal counsel, Soesilo Ariwibowo objected to the judge's decision which assessed that Edhy had violated Article 12 letter a of the Anti-Corruption Law. According to him, the former Gerindra Party politician is more suitable to be found guilty under Article 11 of the Anti-Corruption Law.

In the 11 Corruption Laws, it is stated that the minimum prison term is 1 year and the maximum is 5 years. Meanwhile, the minimum fine is Rp. 50 million and the maximum is Rp. 250 million.

In this article, it is explained that the acceptance of gifts or promises given because of power or authority related to his position, or according to the mind of the person who gave the gift or promise has something to do with his position.

This is different from Article 12 which states that acceptance is made to move them to do or not do something in their position that is contrary to their obligations.