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KPK resumes battle against judicial mafia in courts

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is continuing to combat graft in crucial government bodies after recently arresting Muhammad Santoso, a clerk of the Central Jakarta Court, for allegedly receiving a bribe in a civil case involving two natural resources companies

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Sat, July 2, 2016

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KPK resumes battle against judicial mafia in courts

T

he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is continuing to combat graft in crucial government bodies after recently arresting Muhammad Santoso, a clerk of the Central Jakarta Court, for allegedly receiving a bribe in a civil case involving two natural resources companies.

The civil case was between two companies specializing in natural resources, PT Kapuas Tunggal Persada as the defendant and PT Mitra Maju Sukses as the plaintiff.

The court’s verdict was in favor of PT Kapuas Tunggal Persada.

Apart from Santoso, KPK has also named two other suspects, Raoul Adhitya Wiranatakusumah, who served as a legal representative of PT Kapuas Tunggal Persada, and Ahmad Yani, a staff member of a legal consultant firm assisting the defendant’s side.

Santoso was caught red-handed in Matraman, Central Jakarta, on an ojek (motorcycle taxi) after allegedly receiving envelopes that contained S$25,000 and S$3,000, respectively, from Ahmad Yani.

Based on a recent investigation, KPK commissioner Laode Muhammad Syarif said the money was allegedly received from lawyer Raoul, who is currently still at large.

He went on to say that the anti graft body would be looking into the possibility of involvement of the case’s judges and possibly ask the immigration office to bar them from leaving the country in case prosecutors needed to question them.

The case has delivered another blow to the country’s judicial system. Recently, the KPK uncovered a similar case after discovering that North Jakarta District Court registrar Rohadi allegedly received a bribe in June from suspect Saipul Jamil, a dangdut singer accused of child molestation.

The Supreme Court has intensified its efforts to overhaul its image by providing an online system through which the public can track ongoing legal cases at the court. But, the number of arrests against its officials will likely drag down the court’s reputation.

Judicial Commission spokesperson Farid Wajdi severely criticized those recently arrested, saying that such cases had further degraded the image of Indonesia’s judicial system.

“The growing number of arrests does not seem to act as a deterrent to court officials,” he said. “Being confined in prison seems like a small matter for them.”

Separately, Supreme Court spokesman Suhadi said his office respected the steps being taken by the anti graft body and would immediately discharge Santoso from his position if he was proven guilty.

He said the court had an internal supervising body that aimed to evaluate the performance of all officials working in the court.

Earlier this week, the KPK caught I Putu Sudiartana, a member of House of Representatives Commission III overseeing legal affairs, for allegedly brokering infrastructure projects for a businessman worth Rp 300 billion (US$22 million) in West Sumatra. (fac)

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