Revealed! Apart From Being A Giver, Azis Syamsuddin Is Also A Bribe-talker At The KPK

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Azis Syamduddin (Photo: IST)

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Azis Syamsuddin, was revealed to have played a major role in the three bribery cases that ensnared the KPK investigator, Stepanus Robin Pattuju. Starting from giving bribes, to introducing other bribers.

For the first case, it is related to the alleged sale and purchase of positions within the Tanjungbali City Government (Pemkot). In this case, it was Aziz Syamsuddin who introduced the inactive Tanjungbalai Mayor M. Syahrial to Stepanus.

"That in October 2020, the Defendant was introduced to M. Syahrial by Azis Syamsuddin on Jalan Denpasar Raya 3/3, South Jakarta. At the meeting, M. Syahrial, who already understood that the Defendant was a KPK investigator, submitted a request for assistance to the defendant, among others, so that The investigation into the case of buying and selling positions within the Tanjungbalai City Government has not progressed to the investigation stage," said the prosecutor reading the indictment at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Monday, September 13.

During the meeting, Stepanus agreed to the request. Namely giving a sum of money to Stepanus so that his case does not go up for investigation at the KPK.

In the indictment, the bribery agreement between Syahrial and Stepanus was worth Rp1.7 billion. After agreeing, M. Syahrial began to send the money both by transfer and in cash.

"Since November 2020, M. Syahrial has given money in the total amount of Rp1.695 billion to the defendant and Maskur Husain," said the Prosecutor.

Azis Syamsuddin, who is also a Golkar politician, gave a bribe to Stepanus

Azis Syamsuddin is said to have given a sum of money to Stepanus and Maskur Husain. The Golkar politician gave this one with the intention of taking care of the case being investigated by the KPK in Central Lampung. This case is suspected to involve Azis.

"The defendant whom Azis Syamsudim asked for help then discussed with Maskur Husain to discuss whether they are willing to take care of the case involving Azis Syamsudin and Aliza Ginado related to the KPK investigation in Central Lampung," said the prosecutor.

From the discussion, it was agreed that Stepanus would help Azis Syamsudin and Aliza Gunado. As long as there is a cash reward of Rp2 billion.

"The defendant and Maskur Husain agreed to take care of the case involving Azis Syamsudin and Aliza Gunado as long as they were rewarded with a sum of Rp2 billion from each. With an advance of Rp300 million,"

Even in the lobbying process, Aziz Syamsudin agreed. Until finally, the down payment was sent by Aziz via transfer.

Furthermore, the defendant also received 100 thousand United States (US) dollars from Aziz Syamsudin on August 5, 2020. The money was given at the official residence.

"The defendant received in cash an amount of USD 100,000 from Azis Syamsudin at Azis Syamsudin's official residence on Jalan Denpasar Raya 3/3, South Jakarta," said the prosecutor.

The handover of the money continued at the end of August until March 2021. In which, the defendant received money from Azis Syamsudin and Aliza Gunado in the amount of 171,900 Singapore dollars or Rp1.863 billion.

The bribe money was then divided in half to Maskur Husain. So to take care of the case of Azis Syamsudin, the defendant is around Rp799 million.

"The defendant received Rp799,887,000 while Maskur Husain received Rp2,300,000,000.00 and USD 36,000," said the prosecutor.

The role of Azis Syamsuddin in the case of the former Kutai Kartanegera Regent, Rita Widyasari

Finally, Azis Syamsudin is also said to have played a role in the alleged corruption case involving the former Regent of Kutai Kartanegera, Rita Widyasari.

In that case, Azis Syamsudin played a role in introducing Rita to Stepanus. Later, Azis also communicated with Rita regarding the case.

"That in October 2020, the defendant was introduced to Rita Widyasari by Azis Syamsudin," said the prosecutor.

The week after that introduction became the starting point of their game to get around the law. Where, Stepanus and Maskur Husain came to Rita, who was being held at the Class IIA Tangerang Prison.

During the meeting, Stepanus and Maskur ensured that Rita could arrange for the return of assets confiscated by the KPK and a review (PK). Provided, there is an agreement in return of Rp10 billion and 50 percent of the assets.

"If the asset recovery is successful, Maskur asks for a 50 percent share of the total asset value. Maskur said that the lawyer fee of Rp10 billion was cheaper than what he usually asked for, which could be because there was a defendant," said the prosecutor.

In addition, to further convince Rita, Maskur also said that the presence of Stepanus as a KPK investigator could put pressure on the PK judges. Until finally Rita agreed.

After the meeting, Rita also contacted Azis Syamsudin. The two of them talked about Stepanus and Maskur.

"Rita contacted Azis Syamsuddin to inform him of his communication with the defendant and Maskur Husain," said the prosecutor.

However, in reality, Stepanus only got Rp5,197 billion from Rita. The money was divided in half with Maskur.

So, Stepanus got around Rp697 million. Meanwhile, Maskur received Rp4.5 billion.