Waiting For Firli Bahuri's Promise Not To Be Afraid To Handle Corruption Cases, Including The Case Ensnared Azis Syamsuddin

Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri (Photo: kpk.go.id)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri was asked to prove that his statement would not be impartial in investigating corruption cases, including the alleged giving of money from Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Azis Syamsuddin to his former investigator, Stepanus Robin Pattuju.

Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) Boyamin Saiman said he was waiting for Firli's promise and waiting to see what the former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK would do following the appearance of Azis' name in Stepanus Robin Pattuju's indictment.

In Stepanus' indictment, Azis and a private party named Aliza Gunardi are said to have given Rp3.09 billion and US$36 thousand.

"I am waiting for Mr. Firli's promise not to be afraid of anyone and saying that the KPK is working, so I ask the people to wait," Boyamin told reporters quoted on Monday, September 6.

"I have been patiently waiting for Mr. Firli's action related to the issue concerning Azis Syamsuddin," he added.

According to Boyamin, if Firli is truly indiscriminate and dares to investigate allegations of giving money from Azis to his former investigators, then he must issue an investigative order (sprindik) and do what he should.

"Mr. Firli already knows what to do. Let's wait together with Mr. Firli's action. Will Mr. Firli in this case meet the expectations of the community to resolve the allegations involved? We are waiting for whoever," he said.

This, continued Boyamin, also applies to other acceptances made by Stepanus. Moreover, the summary of the indictment also stated that there were a number of other names who gave money to the former police investigator, such as former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari, inactive Cimahi Mayor Ajay Muhammad Priyatna, and Tanjungbalai Mayor M Syahrial.

"Well, this could be interrelated and intertwined or there is a common thread. So once again Mr. Firli's job is to explore and get two pieces of evidence," he said.

"If it is found, it means once again, Mr. Firli must have the courage to issue a new sprindik related to this indictment," added Boyamin.

The money given from a number of parties received by Stepanus is listed in the summary of the indictment uploaded to the Case Investigation Information System (SIPP) of the Central Jakarta District Court.

In the summary, Stepanus, who in his act as a case broker-assisted by a lawyer named Maskur Husein, received Rp11,025,077,000 and 36 thousand US dollars.

This admission was carried out from July 2020 to April this year and was carried out in a number of places and was related to many cases of alleged corruption.

Then who is suspected of giving money to Stepanus the case broker?

In the summary of the indictment, it was stated that the bribes received by Stepanus allegedly came from the case of buying and selling positions in Tanjungbalai. The money was given by the inactive Tanjungbalai Mayor M Syahrial with a value of Rp1.695 billion.

Next, Stepanus is suspected of receiving money from the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Azis Syamsuddin, and a private party named Aliza Gunadi. The two men gave Rp3.09 billion and US$36 thousand.

Third, he is suspected of receiving Rp507.39 million from the inactive Mayor of Cimahi Ajay Muhammad Priatna. This money is related to the case of receiving gratuities from the Bunda Hospital in Cimahi, West Java.

Fourth, Stepanus is suspected of having received Rp525 million from the President Director of PT Tenjo Jaya Usman Effendi.

Finally, he is suspected of receiving Rp5.17 billion in money from former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasar who was involved in gratification and money laundering cases at the KPK.

"It is reasonable to suspect that the gift or promise was given to mobilize him to do or not do something in his position," reads the summary of the indictment.

Previously, the chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission, Firli Bahuri, admitted that he would not be indiscriminate in investigating the bribery case that ensnared the former investigator, Stepanus Robin Pattuju. As long as there is sufficient evidence, the perpetrators of the crime will definitely be dealt with by the anti-riot commission.

"Whoever the perpetrator is, we will not discriminate if there is sufficient evidence," said Firli in a written statement, Friday, September 4.

He said his party was still gathering information and evidence. Thus, the former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK asked the public to be patient.

"Please give us time to work. Later, the KPK will provide a complete explanation after the collection of information and evidence is complete," said Firli.

"We work based on evidence and it is with this evidence that we can shed light on a criminal act of corruption and find the suspect," he concluded.