Question of integrity for prosecutors

Lilian Budianto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 03/06/2008 11:59 AM  |  National

Prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan's arrest Sunday for his alleged involvement in the Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI) case demonstrates how respected law enforcers are also vulnerable to corruption.

Urip, who headed the investigation team that handled the case of business tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim, was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for allegedly receiving US$660,000 in bribes.

Attorney General Herdarman Supandji told the House of Representatives he was shocked and upset by the arrest of Urip, who he held in high regard.

Urip was among the 35 prosecutors chosen to investigate the alleged embezzlement trillions of rupiahs of BLBI funds.

"We promoted him to lead the team as we thought he had performed well when he led the regional prosecutor's office in Bali," said Hendarman.

Urip, together with fellow prosecutor Putu Suparta Jaya, sought a death sentence for Amrozi, a suspect in the 2002 Bali bombing. The Denpasar District Court eventually handed Amrozi the sentence.

The prosecutors of the case were hailed by international media for demanding capital punishment for Amrozi.

Urip was promoted to Jakarta where he received a monthly salary of Rp 35 million (US$3,760). Hendarman said the Attorney General's Office provided Urip an extra operational budget.

The arrest has brought the renovation of Urip's two-story house in Denpasar to a halt. His family, however, denies the renovation is funded by ill-gotten money.

Hendarman said he had repeatedly reminded Urip to be careful in handling such a big case and warned him against any behavior that could taint his integrity and his team's image.

"He is only 41 years old and had a long way to go. I regret the fact that he's taken a stumble," Hendarman said.

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