Corruption Trial for Medan Railway Project Continues, KPK Urged to Thoroughly Investigate DJKA Cluster
The Corruption Court (Tipikor) at the Medan District Court held a continuation hearing on Wednesday (1/4/2026) for the alleged bribery case at the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transportation. This session focused on examining witnesses and statements from related parties to delve deeper into the irregularities in the railway line construction project in North Sumatra.
In the trial, three defendants from the private sector—Muhamad Chusnul, Muchlis Hanggani Cappah, and Eddy Kurniawan Winarto—were brought back after their first hearing in mid-March.
This case is a development from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)’s catch-and-grab operation (OTT) in April 2023. The North Sumatra cluster is a crucial point where defendant Muhamad Chusnul is alleged to have received bribes amounting to Rp12 billion to arrange the winner of the railway line maintenance project tender in the Medan area.
In response to the trial’s progress, legal observer Fernando Emas emphasised that law enforcement agencies (APH) must not stop at courtroom proceedings alone. He urged the KPK to continue pursuing other parties suspected of involvement in this vortex of corruption concerning public facilities.
“Every deviation of state funds corrupted by state officials must be handled seriously by law enforcement agencies. Especially regarding public facilities that should be carried out without deviations, as it has great potential to endanger security and safety,” said Fernando in his statement on Wednesday (1/4/2026).
Fernando reminded that corruption in the transportation sector is not merely a financial loss to the state but a direct threat to the lives of railway transport users.
Furthermore, Fernando highlighted the importance of real commitment from the Prabowo Subianto administration in efforts to eradicate corruption in Indonesia. According to him, the DJKA case serves as a test for the government to strengthen the KPK institution and revise legal regulations to provide maximum deterrent effects.
“The Prabowo Subianto administration must seriously prove its commitment to eradicating corruption. Do not just talk and limit it to political promises during the campaign. Carry out restructuring to strengthen the KPK and changes to the law that impose even heavier punishments on KKN perpetrators,” he asserted.