Lawyer Claims Ex-Official Victim of Criminalization by Attorney General's Office

Lawyer Otto Cornelis Kaligis asserts that his client, Lodewyk Pusung, former deputy head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), is being wrongly accused and criminalized by the Attorney General's Office. Kaligis maintains that Pusung had no role in intervening or being involved in the procurement of goods and services, nor in determining the locations for nutrition kitchens, which are the focus of the investigation.

According to Kaligis, Pusung did not possess the technical authority or operate within the structure responsible for the procurement processes under scrutiny. He stated that Pusung was not the Budget User (PA), Authorized Budget User (KPA), or Commitment Making Official (PPK), and that his legal team has the names of the officials who were. During his tenure at BGN, Pusung's role was limited to inter-agency relations, and he did not manage budgets or projects, Kaligis explained.

The legal team also raised concerns about the procedure of Pusung's arrest and designation as a suspect. Kaligis highlighted that Pusung was examined on June 3, but the official summons only arrived on June 4, questioning the transparency of this process. He emphasized that Pusung is a retired TNI officer, not a terrorist, and poses no flight risk or threat of evidence tampering.

Pusung himself, through a handwritten letter from detention, conveyed his objection to the corruption charges and his desire to appear in court. Kaligis views his client's physical presence as crucial for refuting the allegations and upholding the principle of transparency in law enforcement, as guaranteed by the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP). The court is set to continue proceedings with responses from the Attorney General's Office, evidence presentation, witness examination, and a verdict.