Helmut Hermawan's Attorney Uncovers Allegations Of Extortion By Deputy Minister Of Law And Human Rights

JAKARTA - Helmut Hermawan's attorney, Rusdianto, responded to the Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) report regarding the alleged extortion in office by the Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights EOSH which was linked with his client to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Rusdi also revealed the fact that his client was suspected of having been blackmailed so a transaction was given to the Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights EOSH through his personal assistant.

"We respect IPW's action to report to the KPK because this is the main task of IPW as the supervisor of law enforcement. However, there is something that we should underline, namely the position of our client Helmut Hermawan as a victim of extortion considering that initially there was no intention at all to provide funds to the officials reported by IPW," Rusdi told reporters, Thursday, March 16.

Rusdi also explained that it was related to the chronology of the provision of funds worth IDR 7 billion to the Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights EOSH. Initially, he said, PT CLM asked for time for consultation related to the problems experienced by Helmut Hermawan, who was having problems with ZAS, currently the new president director of PT CLM.

"At that time, the Deputy Minister brought his two personal assistants in the meeting, so the two personal assistants were also present in one room. The Deputy Minister said that he mandated the PT CLM issue to two personal assistant people who were considered his trusted people. Well, at that time it was said that the figure was a cost," he said.

According to him, the fee came from the Deputy Minister, but he did not know what it was intended for. Furthermore, Rusdi said that the number of funds worth IDR 7 billion was given in stages three times.

"Until IDR 7 billion, all of which were given through Mr. Wamen's affiliation. First, it was IDR 2 billion through an account, then another IDR 2 billion through an account, only IDR 3 billion in cash in foreign currency was handed over to his assistant's room, personal assistant," he added.

"The funds were given solely to grant the request of the Deputy Minister because our client really respects him, so he is afraid that if he does not give it, he will be considered disrespectful and seem disrespectful, even though our client is actually in a bad financial condition," he added.

Although a number of these funds have been given, it turns out that the problems faced by Helmut Hermawan have not been resolved. One of the root causes of the problem is administrative management at the Directorate General of AHU (General Law Administration).

Rusdi also said that the consequences of his client who failed to take care of the permit at the Directorate General of AHU had made the company successfully taken over by ZAS.

"Because the opponent took it, finally our registered deed was issued and the deed of the opponent who entered. So it will be formally considered that we are not registered," he said.

The unregistered submissions made by his client resulted in all the deeds that had been born while still registered in the AHU being illegal.

"The consequences result in all the deeds that have been born when we are registered in the AHU to 10 criminal reports, because they are considered illegal, which was originally considered legal because we issued them, so they enter, meaning that we can be said to be illegal. Even though the process at the Directorate General of AHU is very magical!" he continued.

Rusdi believes that there are indications of criminalization committed by the police against his client, Helmut Hermawan.

"Well, we hope that the police can uphold the slogan 'presidency' which has been echoed so far by acting fairly without taking sides with certain parties and or someone, everyone also knows that behind all of this, there is a big role for entrepreneurs in Kalimantan (Hajj I)," he said.

At that time, his party also asked the police to be neutral and not process various criminal reports to their clients, because they were submitting civil acts.

"So in accordance with the laws and regulations, the sentence must be stopped first and wait for the civil case of inkraht. To note, we are currently filing a civil lawsuit and a state administrative lawsuit," he said.

"The law is rather difficult to move because it is held hostage by the various interests of these big people. In fact, there are employees who have been detained for allegedly stealing documents in other cases. Some of them have been named suspects and have been detained. This is something that is not fair, right? what is shown in public is law enforcement, but actually, all of this is legal persecution!” he said.

According to him, the fate of a person should not be trifled with, human rights and the good name of his client have been destroyed. In fact, the family is now becoming difficult. So according to Rusdi, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) must intervene to respond to this problem.

Because according to him, this problem will create a dilemma for the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, with the condition of the National Police, which is currently experiencing repeated problems since the Ferdy Sambo case.

"So I really hope that the President and the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs intervene immediately, the law in this country has been messed up for mere business interests. If the public wants to know the chronology of the Helmut Hermawan case, please visit the website www.helmuthermawan.com," he continued.