Golkar Deactivates Azis Syamsuddin From The Deputy Chief Of Staff

Azis Syamsuddin while being detained by the KPK (Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - The Golkar Party has decided to deactivate Azis Syamsuddin from the position of Deputy General Chairperson of Golkar. Azis is welcome to focus on undergoing the legal process.

The decision was taken after Azis was named a suspect in connection with the alleged bribery in handling cases in Central Lampung and was detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

The Head of Legal Affairs of the Golkar Party DPP Adies Kadir said his party would provide ample opportunity and time for cadres who are facing legal problems.

"The Golkar Party provides the widest possible time and opportunity for brother Azis Syamsuddin to concentrate and focus on dealing with his legal problems at the KPK," he said during a press conference, Saturday, September 25.

According to Adies, the deactivation of the status has also been regulated in the Golkar Party's articles of association and by-laws (AD/ART).

"As mandated by Article 9 of the Golkar Party Bylaws and Article 19 of the Golkar Party's DPP Organizational Regulations: PO-15/DPP/GOLKAR/VII/2017 concerning Enforcement of Organizational Discipline," he explained.

Azis Syamsuddin is the sole suspect in the case. This case began when Azis tried to contact former KPK investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju to close the case against Golkar Party politician Aliza Gunado and himself at the KPK.

Robin asked Azis for money to help him close the case at the KPK. To launch the action, Robin was also assisted by Lawyer Maskur Husain.

Robin allegedly met Azis many times to receive money. The money is given regularly three times, namely 100 thousand US dollars, 17,600 Singapore dollars, and 140,500 Singapore dollars.

The initial agreement was that Azis had to give Rp4 billion to close the case. Meanwhile, Robin and Maskur are alleged to have received Rp3.1 billion from Azis.

Azis Syamsuddin is suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or Article 5 paragraph (1) letter b or Article 13 of the Corruption Eradication Law.