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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Watchdog doubts Indonesian AG's office can fairly probe ex-deputy in corruption case

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • An anti-corruption group questions the Indonesian Attorney General's Office's handling of a corruption case involving a former deputy.
  • The group doubts the office's ability to objectively investigate its former senior official.
  • They urge the Attorney General's Office to demonstrate commitment by thoroughly resolving the case or risk it being taken over by the KPK.

An Indonesian anti-corruption watchdog group has expressed skepticism regarding the Attorney General's Office's (AGO) handling of a corruption case involving former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes, Febrie Ardiansyah. The IM57+ Institute doubts the AGO's capacity to conduct a professional and objective investigation into one of its former high-ranking officials.

The public will certainly be skeptical of this continued law enforcement effort that will be handled by the Attorney General's Office. Public doubt is justified because how can an institution (in this case, special crimes) act objectively when investigating a former superior who once served as deputy attorney general for special crimes?

— Lakso Anindito, Chairman of IM57+ InstituteExpressing skepticism about the Attorney General's Office's ability to investigate its former official objectively.

"The public will certainly be skeptical of this continued law enforcement effort that will be handled by the Attorney General's Office," stated Lakso Anindito, Chairman of the IM57+ Institute. "Public doubt is justified because how can an institution (in this case, special crimes) act objectively when investigating a former superior who once served as deputy attorney general for special crimes?"

The institute is calling on the AGO to show a very serious commitment to addressing public skepticism. According to Lakso, this can be achieved by prosecuting the case thoroughly and comprehensively. He warned that failure to resolve the case would set a bad precedent, suggesting the AGO is incapable of handling cases involving its own members, unlike the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which has successfully prosecuted cases involving its personnel.

Failure to resolve the case will set a bad precedent, suggesting the Attorney General's Office is incapable of handling cases involving its own members.

— Lakso Anindito, Chairman of IM57+ InstituteWarning about the consequences of an unresolved case.

Furthermore, Lakso analyzed the potential for the KPK to take over the case. He cited Article 8, paragraph (2) of the KPK Law, which grants the KPK the authority to take over investigations that are stalled or prolonged without clear reason. Lakso urged for clear support and instructions for the KPK to assume control if the AGO encounters difficulties. He expressed hope that the AGO would be willing to cede the case if it proves incapable of handling it, as mandated by law.

The KPK has the authority to take over investigations that are stalled or prolonged without clear reason.

— Lakso Anindito, Chairman of IM57+ InstituteCiting the KPK Law regarding case takeovers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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