Asked By The Judge, Azis Syamsuddin Denies Introducing Former Kukar Regent Rita Widyasari And Syahrial To KPK Investigators

DOK ANTARA/Azis Syamsuddin

JAKARTA - Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Azis Syamsudin, denied introducing the inactive Tanjungbalai Mayor M. Syahrial and former Kutai Kartanegara Regent, Rita Widyasari to Stepanus Robin Pattuju, who at that time was still a KPK investigator.

In fact, the two former regional heads admitted that Azis introduced Robin Pattuju, the defendant in the bribery case.

During the trial, the judge questioned the introduction of Rita Widyasari and former Mayor of Tanjungbalai Syahrial with Robin Pattuju. Azis Syamsuddin denied it.

"Did you introduce Rita to Robin?" asked the judge during the trial at the Corruption Court, Monday, October 25.

"No, Your Majesty," replied Azis.

Then, the judge again questioned the same thing regarding Syahrial's introduction to Robin Pattuju.

"What about Syahrial?" asked the judge.

Azis also replied that he had never introduced him. Azis said the meeting between Syahrial and Stepanus Robin took place at his house. But not directly identified.

"At that time Syahrial came to a Golkar meeting to my house. Brother Robin came, then I just waved, he wore a nametag. After that, I continued the meeting. He ate and drank, I continued in meetings at the official house," said Azis.

As previously reported, it was revealed that Azis Syamsudin had a big role behind the three bribery cases that ensnared the KPK investigator, Stepanus Robin Pattuju. Starting from a bribe to introduce other bribers.

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

"That in October 2020, the Defendant was introduced to M. Syahrial by Azis Syamsudin on Jalan Denpasar Raya 3/3, South Jakarta. At the meeting, M. Syahrial, who 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. He agreed after first discussing it with Maskur Husain.

Then, Stepanus put forward a condition that is a reward in the form of money. In the end, they agreed on a nominal compensation of Rp. 1.7 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 Rp. 1.695 billion to the defendant and Maskur Husain," said the Prosecutor.

Then, Azis Syamsudin was 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 assured Rita that they could arrange for the return of assets confiscated by the KPK and a review (PK). Provided, there is an agreement in return of Rp. 10 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 Rp 10 billion is cheaper than what he usually asks for, which is because there is 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 Syamsudin 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.

Stepanus was accused by the KPK of getting Rp. 697 million. Meanwhile, Maskur received IDR 4.5 billion.