When Firli Was Asked Not To Deny That There Were KPK Officials Playing A Case

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri (Photo: KPK Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The trial of former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Stepanus Robin Pattuju raises suspicions of an attempt to manage corruption cases by involving his superiors. However, this allegation was immediately denied by the Chairman of the KPK Firli Bahuri with the claim that his subordinates had studied the evidence and the witnesses.

The allegation that Stepanus Robin's superior had played a role in securing the case emerged during the trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday, October 11 yesterday. At the trial, the former Mayor of Tanjungbalai M Syahrial testified and stated that he was often asked for money by Stepanus on the grounds that he was asked by his superiors.

Syahrial is one of the litigants at the KPK who bribed Stepanus in addition to former Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament Azis Syamsuddin. In addition to having been convicted in this bribery case, he is now a suspect in the alleged bribery of buying and selling positions in the Tanjungbalai City Government.

"There is a statement 'above again need bang'?" asked Syahrial, the KPK Public Prosecutor at the trial.

"Yes, I understand the leader," answered Syahrial.

Syahrial's statement was later refuted by Firli Bahuri by stating that there was no leader or direct supervisor of Stepanus Robin Pattuju who took part in the case to secure someone.

"No one is internally involved in SRP's actions, including his superiors," said Firli in a written statement to reporters, Tuesday, October 12.

He asserted, Stepanus played alone to secure a number of corruption cases that ensnared him. Firli's belief arises because investigators have received witness statements and collected evidence.

"KPK has made requests for witness statements and collected evidence, so there is no evidence that his superiors were involved in the SRP case," said the former Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK.

Firli's firmness in stating that none of Stepanus's leaders or superiors have played a role in the handling of corruption cases has also been in the spotlight. Former KPK Employee Committee Yudi Purnomo Harahap reminded that such allegations could not be refuted without further investigation.

"Don't just play around with denial," said Yudi as quoted from his Twitter account @yudiharahap46.

The former investigator who was expelled from the KPK because he failed during the National Insight Test Assessment (TWK) asked that witness examinations should still be carried out to investigate the allegation. In addition, searches in related places, including the homes of related parties, must also be carried out to find evidence.

"Search the truth, examine witnesses, search related houses/places, deepen communication with related parties, look for Robin's cellphone, that's the key to revealing who the boss is," he said.

Previously, Stepanus Robin, who became a case broker at the KPK, had received money from various parties, including Azis Syamsuddin, amounting to Rp11 billion and US$36 thousand.

In carrying out his actions, Stepanus was assisted by lawyer Maskur Husain and they worked from July 2020 to April this year. The receipt of money by both occurred in a number of places and was related to a number of cases.

First, 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 Rp. 1.695 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 relates 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 Rp 5.17 billion in money from former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasar who was involved in gratification and money laundering cases at the KPK.