Kortas Corruption: SYL Extortion Case No Obstacle, Even Though Firli Bahuri Often Absent From Investigation

JAKARTA - Head of the Corruption Eradication Corps (Kakortas Tipidkor) Inspector General Cahyono Wibowo stated that until now, his party has not planned to withdraw the handling of the alleged extortion case against the former Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, with the suspect Firli Bahuri. Although, the former Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has been absent several times from the investigation.

"No, there is no discourse yet," said Cahyono, quoted on Tuesday, December 10.

According to Cahyono, a criminal case will only be taken over if there are significant obstacles in its handling. However, for the case involving Firli Bahuri, he revealed that until now there have been no obstacles.

Polda Metro Jaya, said Cahyono, is still considered to have the ability to handle and resolve this alleged extortion case.

"Meanwhile, there are obstacles if there are withdrawals, but so far we have seen no obstacles at all," he said.

Cahyono added that the only thing that still needs to be resolved is the fulfillment of the case file that was previously returned by the prosecutor because it was considered incomplete. According to him, this is only an administrative matter, namely the fulfillment of P19 related to the clarification needed.

"It's just a matter of how to fulfill the P19, yesterday there was a postponement of the summons for certain reasons submitted by the legal advisor, Mr. Firli Bahuri," he said.

Therefore, Cahyono considered that Polda Metro Jaya investigators would immediately send back a summons for examination of Firli Bahuri to resolve the case.

"Maybe, maybe we'll see," he added.

Previously, Firli Bahuri was again absent from the examination scheduled for Thursday, November 28. Through his attorney, Ian Iskandar, Firli stated that he could not attend because the case was deemed not to have met the material requirements.

"Yes, the legal reason is that the material requirements alleged against him are not fulfilled," said Ian.

Ian also said that the reason had been conveyed to investigators through a letter submitted on that day.

In addition, for the same reason, Polda Metro Jaya was asked to stop handling the alleged extortion case.

"The inverse of the case file proves that the material requirements alleged against Mr. Firli are not fulfilled," said Ian.