Considered A Conflict Of Interest, KPK Asked Judges To Exclude Bambang Widjojanto From Mardani Maming's Legal Team

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has asked Bambang Widjojanto or BW to be removed from the legal team of Mardani H. Maming for reasons of conflict of interest. This request was submitted at the pretrial hearing held at the South Jakarta District Court (PN) today, Wednesday, July 20.

The KPK Legal Bureau responded to a pretrial request submitted by former Tanah Bumbu Regent Mardani H. Maming. One of the answer points that was conveyed was related to the involvement of former Deputy Chairman of the KPK, Bambang Widjojanto, as a legal team for the General Treasurer of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU).

The KPK requested that the names of members of the DKI Jakarta Governor's Team for the Acceleration of Development (TGUPP) Bambang Widjojanto or BW be removed from the list of names of Mardani's attorneys.

"Orders by law to the clerk of the South Jakarta District Court to cross out the Petitioner's Legal Counsel on behalf of Dr. Bambang Widjojanto in a Special Power of Attorney dated June 25, 2022, which has been registered at the South Jakarta District Court," said the petition from the KPK legal team which was read out here. South Jakarta District Court, Wednesday, July 20.

In the first point, the KPK highlighted the issue of BW who had served as Deputy Chair of the KPK for the period 2011-2015 and still had a legal relationship with the respondent at the pretrial hearing, namely the KPK, so that a conflict of interest had occurred.

"Although Dr. Bambang Widjojanto is no longer the head of the KPK (Vice Chair), there is still a relationship between Mr. Dr. Bambang Widjojanto and the KPK (the respondent) because the KPK is obliged to provide legal assistance and security protection."

The KPK also touched on financial rights, protocol positions, and security protection for KPK leaders, which did not have a time limit. "So, until now, Mr. Dr. Bambang Widjojanto still has a legal relationship with the KPK, so there is a conflict of interest in his position as the applicant's attorney in this pretrial," he said.

Regarding this point, Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, said that everyone who had been the head of the anti-corruption commission would continue to be bound. Moreover, the KPK can provide legal assistance to them whenever needed.

"This means that the KPK is currently still able to provide legal assistance to all former KPK leaders whenever needed. So, all people who have been KPK leaders are still bound by the KPK as an institution," Ali told VOI, Wednesday, July 20.

In addition, the KPK also highlighted BW's position as Head of the Legal and Corruption Prevention Division of the DKI Jakarta Governor TGUPP. Moreover, the pretrial applicant Mardani Maming is also a shareholder and/or becomes a board member with companies that run businesses in DKI Jakarta, including PT Batulicin Enam Sembilan.

This condition also has the potential to create a conflict of interest between the duties and functions of BW as a member of the DKI Jakarta Governor's TGUPP and his position as a legal representative.

"Based on the description above, the granting of power of attorney from the Petitioner to Mr. Dr. Bambang Widjojanto violates the laws and regulations so that the power of attorney granted by the Petitioner to Mr. Dr. Bambang Widjojanto is invalid and null and void."

Meanwhile, BW confirmed that he had resigned from his position as a member of the DKI Jakarta TGUPP. He chose to focus on managing Mardani Maming's pretrial.

"Yes, that's right (resigned as a member of the DKI Jakarta TGUPP)," said Bambang in his short message, Wednesday, July 20.

Bambang admitted that his decision to resign from the special team of DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan was to avoid conflicts of interest that could potentially arise from the case he was handling.

"I should not be active and step down to focus more on pretrial and minimize potential conflicts of interest," he said.

Previously reported, Mardani filed a pretrial lawsuit to the South Jakarta District Court after receiving a letter of naming the suspect from the KPK.

The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) appointed members of the Governor's Team for the Acceleration of Development (TGUPP) DKI Jakarta Bambang Widjojanto and former Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights (Wamenkumham) Denny Indrayana as legal counsel.

The chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) has been named a suspect in alleged bribery and gratification related to mining permits in Tanah Bumbu, Kalimantan. This corrupt practice allegedly occurred when Mardani was still in office.

The determination of Maming as a suspect by the KPK was initially known from the Directorate General of Immigration when confirming the existence of prevention abroad. Meanwhile, the KPK has not made an announcement because efforts to force detention have not been carried out.