When The KPK Is Doubtful It Will Investigate Edhy Prabowo's TPPU

JAKARTA - It is doubtful that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will investigate allegations of money laundering (TPPU) committed by former Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo, who has been sentenced to five years in prison.

This doubt was then answered by the anti-corruption commission, which is ready to open up opportunities for investigation of other criminal acts in the case of bribery of fried shrimp or lobster seeds.

This doubt was conveyed by Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Kurnia Ramadhana, who initially urged the KPK to investigate Edhy's alleged money laundering by issuing an investigation warrant.

"Ideally, at this time, the KPK should immediately issue an investigation warrant for the alleged money laundering crime committed by the perpetrators," said ICW researcher Kurnia Ramadhana in a written statement quoted on Friday, July 16.

According to him, the alleged money laundering was clearly visible in the ongoing trial process. "For example, the modus operandi of using another party as a buyer to disguise the assets resulting from a crime or even borrowing the account of a third person to receive bribes," he said.

Even so, Kurnia doubts that the KPK will investigate the allegation. Moreover, the investigator in charge of the bribery case for the export of fried shrimp or lobster seeds was deactivated after being declared ineligible in the National Insight Test Assessment (TWK) as a condition for the transfer of employee status.

"However, back again, that's the public's expectation. However, the reality is that the investigators of the lobster seed export bribery case were fired through," he said.

One of the heads of the KPK Task Force (Kasatgas) who arrested Edhy was Novel Baswedan. He was one of 75 employees of the anti-corruption commission who did not pass the test.

Hearing these doubts, Acting Spokesperson for the KPK for Prevention Ipi Maryati spoke up. He said that his party was ready to open up opportunities to investigate allegations of money laundering offenses as stated by ICW.

"KPK is very open to the possibility to continue to deepen and develop cases other than corruption," said Ipi.

However, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) cannot be careless in its work to investigate criminal acts. Ipi said that the KPK must have sufficient evidence so that they will analyze the legal facts that existed during the trial.

"This is done, among others, by first analyzing all the legal facts during the trial process that are included in the consideration of the judge's decision," he said.

In a trial that was held on Thursday, July 15 yesterday, the Panel of Judges of the Corruption Court sentenced former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo to five years in prison. In addition, he was also sentenced to a fine of Rp. 400 million, subsidiary to 6 months in prison.

Furthermore, the panel of judges also decided on additional penalties for Edhy Prabowo with the obligation to pay compensation for the corruption crimes he committed in the amount of Rp9.68 billion and US$77 thousand. If not paid, he will have to serve an additional two years in prison.

In addition, the panel of judges in their decision also revoked Edhy Prabowo's right to be elected in public (political) positions for three years.

This sentence was given after Edhy was found guilty of accepting a bribe of US$77 thousand from the Director of PT Dua Putra Perkasa Pratama (DPPP), Suharjito, regarding the permit for the export of fries.

In addition, he was also proven to have received Rp24,625,587,250 as part of the illegal profit from PT Aero Citra Kargo (ACK) related to the cost of sending fried fries cargo services from an exporter company.

Even though he was found guilty and sentenced, Edhy firmly said he was innocent. This politician even said that the verdict was not in accordance with the facts of the trial.

"Yes, I want to think about it. I am sad that this result does not match the facts of the trial," said Edhy Prabowo after the trial, Thursday, July 15.

He also admitted that he would take legal action against the verdict. Only, right now he would think things over and consider them first.

"But yes, this is the judicial process in us, I will continue to carry out the process but give me time to think," he concluded.