KPK: Azis Syamsuddin's Objection Does Not Affect Stepanus Robin's Allegations

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that the objections submitted by former Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Azis Syamsuddin, will not affect the charges against his former investigator, Stepanus Robin Pattuju. Moreover, the indictment prepared by the public prosecutor (JPU) is in accordance with the facts and sufficient evidence.

"We consider that the refutation of witness M. Azis Syamsudin in front of the panel of judges has no effect on the proof of the KPK prosecutor's indictment," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Ali Fikri told reporters, Tuesday, October 26.

He said that every witness presented to the trial has the right to admit or deny the facts presented and that must be respected. However, the KPK emphasized that the alleged bribery case that ensnared the former investigator was based on sufficient preliminary evidence.

"We ensure that from the beginning the KPK raised the status of this case to the investigation stage, it was based on strong preliminary evidence of the alleged actions of the defendant Stepanus Robin P et al and that of course not only from the evidence of witness M Azis Syamsudin," said Ali.

Furthermore, all the facts of the trial will be formulated in a juridical analysis of the lawsuit. Ali believes that the Jakarta Corruption Court will decide that Stepanus and Maskur are guilty of accepting bribes from the KPK case.

"We also invite the public to continue to participate in supervising the trial process, which is open to the public," he said.

As previously reported, Stepanus Robin, who is a case broker at the KPK, was charged with receiving money from various parties, including Azis Syamsuddin, in the amount of IDR 11 billion and USD 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 IDR 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 IDR 3.09 billion and USD 36 thousand.

Third, he is suspected of receiving IDR 507.39 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 IDR 525 million from the President Director of PT Tenjo Jaya Usman Effendi. Finally, he is suspected of receiving IDR 5.17 billion in money from former Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari who was involved in gratification and money laundering cases at the KPK.