Judicial Commission backs Sitorus case investigation

The Judicial Commission has vowed to support the Judicial Corruption Taskforce in its investigation of a report on bribery in a graft case involving a prominent businessman.

“The report mentions several judges as well, so we are committed to supporting the taskforce in its efforts to verify the report,” Judicial Commission (KY) deputy chief Imam Anshori Saleh said Wednesday as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

The report originated from Hendrik Assa, the ex-husband of a notary who was allegedly involved in paying a bribe for her client, businessman DL Sitorus. The report was given to the Judicial Corruption Taskforce last year.

The bribe, reportedly worth Rp 141 billion, was allegedly paid by Sitorus to win his court battle against then forestry minister MS Kaban. Kaban had ordered the confiscation of three-quarters of Sitorus’ 80,000 hectares of oil palm plantations in North Sumatra based on allegations that Sitorus had used state land for his palm oil business.