Joko Tjandra: From The Start I Didn't Want Pinangki To Get Involved, But ...

Trial with witness Joko Tjandra at the Corruption Court, Tuesday December 3 (Desca Lidya Natalia / ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Convicted in the "cessie" corruption case of Bank Bali, Joko Tjandra, said that initially he did not want to be assisted by prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari in handling his legal problems.

"I did not want Pinangki to help me and my legal problems, from the start I did not want Pinangki to interfere because of the 'conflict of interest' and confusing my problems," said Joko Tjandra at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor), quoted by Antara, Wednesday, December 2nd.

Joko Tjandra testified that the defendant Andi Irfan Jaya was charged with helping Joko Tjandra to bribe prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari for 500 thousand US dollars (around Rp7.28 billion). Andi Irfan was also charged with conspiracy to give money to officials at the Attorney General's Office and the Supreme Court of US $ 10 million (around Rp. 145.6 billion).

He conveyed Joko Tjandra's reluctance about Pinangki's interference after Pinangki met him in Kuala Lumpur on November 12, 2019. The meeting was also attended by a businessman colleague of Joko Tjandra named Rahmat.

"At that time they came for a visit, because I have not returned to Jakarta for a long time, so I asked to introduce a good lawyer," said Joko Tjandra.

Joko Tjandra's name has been included in the Interpol "red notice" since about one month after the Judicial Review (PK) decision No. 12 on June 2009 who found him guilty and had to be sentenced to 2 years in prison so that since 2009, Djoko Tjandra has not returned to Indonesia.

"Because he (Pinangki) is a prosecutor I do not want to hear further, but I tell you about my case. Only I emphasize that because 'you are a civil servant, I am not willing to have a legal relationship, but I explain that I can introduce lawyers who according to Pinangki can help me, "said Joko Tjandra explained.

At Joko Tjandra's request, Pinangki then brought an advocate named Anita Kolopaking at a meeting on November 19, 2019 in Kuala Lumpur to become Joko Tjandra's lawyer.