Azis Syamsuddin's Name Appears In Stepanus' 'Case Broker' Indictment, KPK Waits For Evidence Of Other Suspects

Azis Syamsuddin (Photo: partygolkar.com)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri said the determination of a person as a suspect must be based on sufficient evidence. He said his party would not arbitrarily determine the legal status without sufficient evidence.

This was conveyed after the name of the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Azis Syamsuddin, appeared in the summary of the indictment of a former KPK investigator, Stepanus Robin Pattuju. Together with a private sector named Aliza Gunadi, the Golkar Party politician is said to have given Rp3.09 billion and US$36 thousand.

"KPK will only designate a person as a suspect based on sufficient evidence," said Firli in a written statement to reporters, Monday, September 6.

He understands that the public wants the corruption case, especially the giving of money to Stepanus, to be investigated by the KPK by naming a new suspect. However, Firli asked for time so that his men could work well to collect the evidence needed.

The former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK also ensured that his party was transparent in handling the alleged bribery. Including, will provide complete information based on the existing evidence.

"Because we work based on evidence and with that evidence, it is clear that a corruption crime incident and finding the suspect," said Firli.

"So the task of the KPK investigators is to work to find and collect witness statements. As soon as someone becomes a suspect, it must be immediately submitted to a judicial trial," he added.

As previously reported, in the summary of the indictment uploaded to the Case Investigation Information System (SIPP) of the Central Jakarta District Court, it was stated that Stepanus received a total of Rp. 11,025,077,000 and US$ 36,000 from a number of cases.

In carrying out his actions, Stepanus was assisted by lawyer Maskur Husain. The two of them worked together as case brokers from July 2020 to April this year.

It was recorded that there were five receipts of money by Stepanus to intervene in the handling of allegations of corruption. First, he allegedly received money from the inactive Tanjungbalai Mayor M Syahrial in the amount of Rp. 1.695 billion to stop handling cases of buying and selling positions in the Tanjungbalai City Government.

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.