Decided Today, KPK Optimistic To Win Against Mardani Maming In Pretrial

Former Regent of Tanah Bumbu Mardani H. Maming. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is optimistic about winning the pretrial against former Tanah Bumbu Regent Mardani H. Maming. The verdict hearing will be held at the South Jakarta District Court (PN) today, Wednesday, July 27.

"Of course we are very optimistic that the pretrial application submitted by the suspect (Mardani Maming, ed) will be rejected by the judge," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Ali Fikri told reporters, Wednesday, July 27.

The KPK, continued Ali, has detailed all the evidence that supports the determination of the suspect Mardani Maming at the pretrial hearing.

"We have disclosed (the evidence, ed), 129 documents plus 18 witness statements plus electronic evidence," he said.

"The trial is also open to the public and those who follow (see, ed) how the KPK brings documents. I think there are more than 100 documents, including three experts," continued Mardani.

Mardani H. Maming filed a pretrial because he felt he was criminalized after being named a suspect in the alleged bribery and gratification of the mining business permit (IUP) in Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan.

Previously, Mardani was named a suspect after being prevented from going abroad by the Directorate General of Immigration at the request of the KPK. Before being named a suspect, he had also been questioned.

However, after being questioned, Mardani admitted that he was asked for information regarding his problem with the owner of PT Jhonlin Group Samsudin Andi Arsyad alias Haji Isam.

Even so, Maming's name was once said to have received Rp 89 billion in money in a trial for alleged bribery of a mining business license (IUP) in Tanah Bumbu Regency which was held at the Tipikor Court, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Kalsel).

This allegation was conveyed by the younger brother of former President Director of PT Prolindo Cipta Nusantara (PCN) Henry Soetio, Christian Soetio. At that time, Christian claimed to know that there was a flow of funds to the former Regent of Tanah Bumbu Mardani H Maming through PT Permata Abadi Raya (PAR) and PT Trans Surya Perkasa (TSP).

The money transfer has been going on since 2014. The amount of tens of billions of rupiah is referred to as the amount quoted based on PT PCN's financial statements.