Aftermath of Amsal Sitepu Videographer Case, DPR Commission III Holds RDPU to Discuss Legal Injustice

Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has officially scheduled a Hearing of General Opinions (RDPU) to respond to allegations of injustice in the corruption case involving the village video project that has ensnared videographer Amsal Sitepu in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. The RDPU is scheduled to take place on Monday morning (30/3). This step follows strong public demands highlighting the two-year prison demand against the creative worker. Amsal is accused of corruption through the method of “mark-up” on the village video project budget in Karo Regency. Commission III Chairman Habiburokhman stated that the alleged budget inflation by Amsal Sitepu needs to be viewed in the context of creative videography work, which lacks standard fixed prices. “Commission III reminds law enforcers that the spirit of the new Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code is how the legal process produces substantive justice, not merely formalistic justice,” said Habiburokhman in Jakarta on Sunday (29/3). Additionally, he reminded law enforcement officials that the priority of eradicating corruption should focus on major cases with maximisation of state financial loss recovery. Previously, Amsal Sitepu was demanded a two-year prison sentence by prosecutors in the alleged corruption case of the village project in Karo Regency. Prosecutors also imposed a fine of Rp50 million, which if not paid would be replaced by three months’ imprisonment. In his Instagram account, Amsal Sitepu responded to the case ensnaring him. He admitted that the current legal conditions are not running well.