Activists urge Indonesia's KPK to take over graft case involving former prosecutor

Indonesian legal activists are pressing for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to assume control of a corruption case involving Febrie Adriansyah, a former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes. The primary concern is to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure the case is investigated transparently and independently.

The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) is among the groups advocating for KPK's intervention. YLBHI Chairman Muhammad Isnur stated, "KPK's handling is to close the room for conflicts of interest, intervention, and ensure independence so that the case is opened transparently." He believes the transfer of the case from the National Police to the Attorney General's Office sets a dangerous precedent, potentially undermining the legal system and public trust.

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KPK's handling is to close the room for conflicts of interest, intervention, and ensure independence so that the case is opened transparently.

YLBHI has also pointed to irregularities surrounding the case's handling. These include a closed-door meeting between the Police Chief, Attorney General, and TNI Commander with President Prabowo Subianto shortly before the case transfer. Additionally, the Attorney General's Office abruptly halted an investigation related to the MBG project's governance just days prior. Isnur emphasized that existing laws do not recognize such inter-agency transfers for corruption cases.

Isnur further argued that the KPK, as an independent and integrity-focused institution, is essential for handling corruption cases within law enforcement agencies. He cited provisions in the KPK Law that grant the commission the authority to take over investigations or prosecutions from the police or the Attorney General's Office, especially when the alleged corruption exceeds Rp 1 billion. "The transfer of Febrie's case without involving the option of takeover by the KPK clearly ignores the provisions and allows legal certainty to be eroded," Isnur asserted. Former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud Md. also proposed that the KPK take over the case.

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The transfer of Febrie's case without involving the option of takeover by the KPK clearly ignores the provisions and allows legal certainty to be eroded.