Acquittal of Amsal Sitepu: DPR's Commission III Says Law Must Not Be Detached from Reality
Deputy Chairman of DPR RI’s Commission III, Rano Alfath, has welcomed the acquittal of Amsal Christy Sitepu by the Medan District Court in the corruption case concerning the production of village profile videos in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. Rano stated that the case demonstrates that the law must not operate rigidly and detached from social realities.
“This ruling reaffirms that the law should not function in a rigid manner disconnected from social realities. What the panel of judges has decided today reflects sensitivity to public perceptions of justice, particularly for creative workers who often find themselves in grey areas under legal scrutiny,” Rano told reporters on Wednesday (1/4/2026).
Rano noted that from the perspective of criminal law provisions on corruption offences, particularly Article 3 of the Anti-Corruption Law, these cannot be separated from proving elements of abuse of authority and malicious intent (mens rea). In this case, he continued, it is essential to determine whether there was genuine intent to harm state finances.
“Or whether it was merely a difference in valuation of professional services that inherently lack standardised pricing. Criminal law enforcement cannot rely solely on numerical discrepancies or constructions of state losses,” said the PKB legislator.
“There must be comprehensive proof of the fault elements, including malicious intent and abuse of authority. If those aspects are not fulfilled, forcing the use of criminal instruments could potentially lead to injustice,” he added.
He also highlighted the importance of caution in using audit results on state losses as the basis for proof, especially in creativity-based sectors. According to him, an approach that values components such as ideas, editing, or other creative processes as ‘zero’ indicates a misunderstanding of the object being assessed.
“In law, we recognise that not all administratively calculated losses can automatically be qualified as state losses in a criminal context. This is particularly true when the object is creative work that carries subjective value and is based on agreements between parties,” he continued.
Rano views this case as an important moment to demonstrate that the state recognises the value of young people’s creative work. He stated that equating creative work with mere goods procurement logic is misguided.
“Creative work cannot be measured solely by material parameters. It involves ideas, thought processes, experience, and skills built over years. All of that has value that cannot be averaged out or ignored,” he added.
Furthermore, Rano highlighted the relevance of this ruling amid technological advancements, including the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI). According to him, in such an era, human originality and creativity become increasingly valuable and must be protected by the legal system.
“In the midst of AI progress, we must be increasingly aware that the human mind with its originality is irreplaceable. That is precisely where the core value of creative works lies. The state must be present to protect and appreciate that value, not the opposite,” he said.
Amsal Acquitted
Previously, the judges of the Medan District Court declared Amsal Christy Sitepu not guilty in the corruption case involving the production of village profile videos in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. Amsal was thus acquitted.
“Declaring the defendant Amsal not proven guilty and acquitted,” said the panel of judges, M Yusafrihardi Girsang, when reading the verdict at the Medan District Court, as reported by detikSumut on Wednesday (1/4).
Amsal had previously been demanded a two-year prison sentence by the prosecutor. In addition, Amsal was demanded to pay a fine and restitution money.
“Demanding the imposition of a criminal penalty on the defendant Amsal Sitepu, therefore, two years’ imprisonment,” said prosecutor Wira Arizona at the Medan District Court on Friday (20/2).