The United States Spotted The Ethical Case Of Lili Pintauli, Mahfud Asks The KPK To Complete It Transparently

KPK Deputy Lili Pintauli Siregar. (Between)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) Mahfud MD conveyed his views regarding the case of ethical violations allegedly committed by Deputy Chair of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Lili Pintauli Siregar.

The case is included in the report on human rights violations throughout 2021 released by the United States Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu). Mahfud said that the case was indeed a matter for the KPK. However, if it becomes a foreign spotlight, the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) asks the KPK to respond wisely.

"KPK must address the issue wisely. This attitude is because the issue was highlighted by the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but also because it has become an issue within our own country," Mahfud told reporters, Sunday, April 17.

As for the wisdom, Mahfud meant the need for transparent resolution of cases, especially the Lili Pintauli ethical case which was handled by the KPK Supervisory Board (Dewas) without anything being covered up.

"Dewas must show a firm stance to the public. If Lili Pintauli is wrong, he must be punished. But if he is, he must be defended. There should not be public distrust, but also demoralization and discomfort within the KPK," said Mahfud.

As is known, the United States has highlighted the ethical violations committed by the Deputy Chairperson of the KPK, Lili Pintauli Siregar.

In its report, the US stated that Lili had been declared violating ethics on August 30, 2021 for having contact with litigants at the KPK, namely the former Mayor of Tanjungbalai who was involved in a bribery case. He was judged to have taken advantage of his position and was sentenced to a 40 percent deduction from his basic salary.

"The board ruled that Siregar had inappropriate contact with the subject of the investigation for his own personal gain and imposed a one-year, 40 percent reduction in salary for Siregar for the offence," the English-language report said.