Jakarta, Legal Literacy — The handling of the case involving the former Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission Corruption, Firli Bahuri, as a suspect in alleged extortion or gratification by the Metro Jaya Regional Police, is considered to be progressing slowly. Despite being a suspect for the past 100 days, Firli Bahuri has not been detained by the police.
A coalition of anti-corruption civil groups, including Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) and the Indonesian Association of Legal Aid and Human Rights (PBHI), along with several former leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) such as Abraham Samad, Saut Situmorang, and Mochammad Jasin, visited the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta on Friday (1/3/2024). They submitted a letter to the Chief of Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and requested oversight of the handling of alleged corruption cases involving Firli Bahuri.
"If there is a delay in the process, it indicates a lack of professionalism on the part of the investigators in examining the case. Compared to other cases that are handled quickly, the handling of this case is very slow even though the facts are clear," said Julius Ibrani, Chairman of PBHI.
The Importance of the Swift Resolution of the Firli Bahuri Case
Julius expressed the importance of a swift resolution of this case so that it can be immediately brought to trial to determine who is responsible. This case is not isolated because it involves the former Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who is a suspect at the KPK. In addition to the extortion case, there is also an alleged gratification case. This case also demonstrates a structured and systematic pattern.
When there is a delay in the process, what is disrupted is the professionalism of the investigators in investigating this case. Compared to other cases that are handled quickly, the resolution of this case is actually progressing very slowly, even though it is very clear.
Julius stated that the primary responsibility for handling this case lies with the investigators. Because the investigators have a direct connection to the Chief of Police, they requested the Chief of Police to directly supervise and encourage the handling of this case to be given priority. They also encouraged the acceleration of the detention of Firli Bahuri.
Julius explained that the only way to ensure the duration of the examination is through detention. In the context of forced detention efforts, investigators have time limits that must be followed and must not exceed those time limits.
Because only detention has the authority to guarantee the duration of the investigation, in a situation where forced detention efforts are carried out, investigators must comply with the set time limits. Jasin pointed out that in the case of extortion, the maximum penalty is five years, but the penalty for gratification can reach 20 years. With the threat of a sentence exceeding five years, detention of Firli Bahuri is necessary.
He and Saut Situmorang have also testified as experts to determine whether Firli Bahuri deserves to be named a suspect in this case. Jasin urged the National Police Chief to immediately arrest Firli Bahuri to maintain security so that the perpetrator does not eliminate evidence, repeat actions, or escape.
To avoid conflicts of interest, Jasin also encouraged the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police to handle this case. This is because the Chief of the Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police, Inspector General Karyoto, was once Firli's superior when he was still working at the KPK.
The Law Must Be Equal, Beneficial, and Reliable
Emphatically, Saut emphasized that the law must be fair, beneficial, and predictable. He conveyed that Firli had experienced problems throughout his career at the KPK, from the position of deputy to becoming a leader. Therefore, he decided to visit the National Police headquarters to seek clarity for the sake of law and justice. Saut believes that these three principles can be realized if Firli is detained.
Novel Baswedan, a former KPK investigator, who accompanied representatives from the Civil Society Coalition Against Corruption, stated that the public's efforts to demand clarity in handling this case are part of their concern for the KPK. Resolving this case is very important given the possibility of more than one corruption case at the KPK.
If this case is thoroughly investigated, we hope that other cases related to the KPK will also be followed up. We are all unhappy and very disappointed when there are acts of corruption that occur in institutions like the KPK. Just think, an institution that should be at the forefront of fighting corruption is actually involved in the same practices.
According to Novel, resolving this case well is also important to avoid the emergence of various interpretations among the public. Therefore, the investigation of this case must be carried out transparently and accountably.
Kompas has requested explanations from the Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police, Commissioner Ade Safri Simanjuntak, and the Deputy Director of Corruption Crime of the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police, Commissioner Arief Adiharsa, regarding the reasons why Firli has not been detained. However, until now, neither of them has responded.
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