The Second Time Former Riau Governor Annas Maamun Was Detained By KPK After Obtaining Clemency, This Time Regarding Allegations Of Bribery

KPK Building/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has again detained the former Governor of Riau, Annas Maamun, in connection with allegations of bribery in the administration of the Revised Regional Budget (RAPBD) for the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year of Riau Province. This is the second time he has had to feel the coldness of the KPK Rutan.

KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Karyoto announced that Annas Maamun would be detained for 20 days until April 18. This detention was carried out because he was a suspect in the alleged bribery of ratifying the Revised RAPBD of Riau Province for the 2014-2015 fiscal year

"For the purposes of the investigation process, the investigative team made efforts to forcefully detain him for the next 20 days starting from March 30, 2022, to April 18, 2022, at the KPK Detention Center in Lot C1," Karyoto said at a press conference at the KPK's Merah Putih Building, Kuningan Persada, Jakarta. South, Wednesday, March 30.

Before being detained at the KPK Rutan, Karyoto said investigators had forcibly picked up Annas at his residence in Pekanbaru, Riau. This action was taken because the KPK considered that Annas was not cooperative in responding to the summons.

Before being detained, Annas had also been checked for health. "The result was declared healthy so AM was taken to the KPK's Red and White Building for further examination," he said.

This case began when Annas served as Governor of Riau in the 2014-2019 period and sent the 2015 Draft General Budget Policy (KUA) and Temporary Budget Priorities and Ceilings (PPAS) to the Chair of the Riau Provincial DPRD, which was held by Johar Firdaus.

However, in the proposal, it turns out that there are several items related to the budget allocation that has been changed. "One of them is regarding the shift in the budget changes for the construction of livable houses, which were originally a project of the PUPR Service, to a project carried out by the Community Empowerment Agency and Village Government (BPMPD)," Karyoto explained.

Since this budget proposal has not yet been reached, Karyoto said, Annas then offered money and other facilities, such as a loan for official vehicles. The goal is that the proposal can be agreed upon.

"Furthermore, with the approval of Johar Firdaus on behalf of DPRD members, around September 2014 it was suspected that the suspect AM realized his promise by giving some money through representatives of DPRD members in the amount of around IDR 900 million," he said.

Declared eligible to undergo legal process

Annas, who is 81 years old, is certain to be eligible for legal proceedings in the bribery case that ensnared him. This certainty is obtained from the results of a doctor's examination.

"In terms of health, the doctor is still responsible, he deserves to be brought to trial," said Karyoto.

The KPK also ensures that the clemency or pardon granted by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in 2019 will not affect the legal process in this case. The clemency was granted for another case, namely, bribery of land conversion in Riau.

Remembering the clemency that Jokowi gave to Annas Maamun

In 2019, Jokowi was in the spotlight for granting clemency to Annas Maamun citing deteriorating health conditions. The granting of clemency is stated in Presidential Decree number 23/G of 2019 concerning the granting of clemency on October 25.

In granting the clemency, Jokowi has heard input from the Supreme Court and the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security (Menkopolhukam) Mahfud MD for granting this clemency.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD provided input to President Jokowi regarding the clemency on the grounds that Annas was often sick and had to use supplemental oxygen at all times.

"He's been taking oxygen every day. Then he got sick and got many other illnesses," Mahfud told reporters at the Kemenkopolhukam Office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Friday, November 29.

Then what kind of bribery case of land-use change led to clemency?

The investigation into this corruption case began with a hand arrest operation (OTT) in 2014. At that time, he was arrested in Cibubur, East Jakarta along with 9 other people.

After the case was filed, the KPK named the former Golkar Party politician as a suspect in receiving a bribe of IDR 2 billion related to the conversion of 140 hectares of oil palm plantations in the Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau Province.

The case had dragged the name of the Minister of Forestry at the time, Zulkifli Hasan. Annas said he had met the PAN politician at his residence to discuss the proposed revision of forest area changes in Riau.

Furthermore, the Bandung Corruption Court judges sentenced Annas to 6 years in prison and a fine of IDR 200 million, subsidiary to 2 months in prison. After the verdict, he then filed an appeal. As a result, Annas was sentenced to 7 years in prison.

In this case, he was proven to have received bribes of 166,100 US dollars from businessman Gulat, Manurung Gold Medal and Edison Marudut. In addition, Annas was proven to have received a cash prize of IDR 500 million from Gulat in order to win Edison's PT Citra Hokiana Triutama in implementing the project at the Riau Provincial Public Works Department.