LSAK: KPK Must Forcibly Pick Up Mardani Maming If He Is Absent Again, Don't Hesitate

JAKARTA - The Anti-Corruption Study Institute (LSAK) hopes that the KPK will not hesitate to forcibly pick up the former regent of Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan, Mardani Maming, if he is absent from investigators' calls again.

LSAK researcher, Sirajudin, said that if Maming was absent again after the second summons, it would mean that he was uncooperative and obstructed the investigation.

"If Maming is absent again, the KPK must force the person concerned, don't hesitate, just pick him up," he said as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, July 21.

Sirajudin considered that he should be able to appreciate the investigation process being carried out by the KPK, in order to make the case clear.

"As an educated person, Maming should understand the legal process that is being carried out at the KPK," he said.

According to him, if he does feel guilty, why should Maming be afraid to comply with the KPK's summons?

“Indeed, fulfilling the KPK's summons is an opportunity to prove that if he is indeed innocent, why should he be absent? That means maybe he is indeed guilty," he said.

The KPK has made a second summons for the General Treasurer of PB NU, who is also the former regent of Tanah Bumbu, after he was absent from the first summons.

Acting spokesperson for the KPK, Ali Fikri, said that this second summons was the last opportunity to properly approach investigators. However, if he is absent again, according to him, then Maming will be forcibly summoned by investigators to the KPK's Red and White House.

For information, the KPK has opened a new investigation regarding allegations of bribery and gratification related to mining business permits in Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan. The KPK has named a suspect in the case.

The KPK has not officially disclosed the name of the suspect. However, the Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights said two people were prevented by the KPK in this case, namely Mardani Maming and his younger brother, Rois Sunandar. Mardani was examined by the KPK on June 2, 2022.

Mardani Maming was prevented because he was a suspect. The Immigration Office did not specify Rois' status in the prevention. Rois was investigated by the KPK when the case was in the investigation stage.