Indonesia's top legal official comments on transfer of ex-deputy AG's corruption case

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, and Immigration Yusril Ihza Mahendra has responded to the transfer of three corruption cases involving former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah from the National Police to the Attorney General's Office. Mahendra believes the transfer will expedite legal proceedings.

"From the aspect of procedural law, case resolution can indeed be faster if the investigation is carried out by the Attorney General's Office," Mahendra said in a written statement on Monday, July 13, 2026. He explained that in corruption cases, the police's authority is limited to investigation, while prosecution falls under the Attorney General's Office. If the police investigate and prosecutors indict, the case files might go back and forth before being declared complete. However, if the Attorney General's Office handles both, the process becomes more efficient.

Mahendra stressed that the primary challenge is not speed but ensuring independence and objectivity. He acknowledged public concerns about the Attorney General's Office handling the case seriously, given the suspect's former high-ranking position. "The public will certainly ask, what if this becomes a 'rotten apple spoils the barrel' situation, because the investigators and prosecutors handling the case were once subordinates of the suspect?" he said.

Despite potential doubts, Mahendra expressed confidence that prosecutors will uphold their institutional integrity. He views the handling of this case as a crucial test for the Attorney General's Office to maintain its dignity and authority. Mahendra also noted the supervisory role of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the importance of public oversight. The government, he added, fully supports public scrutiny of the case's progress, encouraging media, parliament, civil society, and legal experts to closely monitor and critique the investigation and prosecution.