Detention of Videographer Amsal Sitepu Suspended
The corruption case alleging irregularities in the production of village profile videos in Karo Regency, which ensnared videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu, has entered a new phase. After receiving widespread attention from the public and creative workers, Amsal’s detention has finally been suspended by the Medan District Court.
“I was asked to follow up on the results of the previous Public Hearing Meeting (RDPU), especially regarding the suspension,” said Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Hinca Panjaitan, at the Medan District Court on Tuesday (31/3).
According to Hinca, the detention suspension process is not straightforward. An official request letter must be submitted in stages, starting from Commission III of the House of Representatives to the House leadership, and finally forwarded to the court through the Chief Judge of the Medan District Court.
“After the letter arrived in Medan, I immediately handed it over to the court leadership. As a result, the suspension request on behalf of Amsal Sitepu has been submitted by us and was just granted,” he said.
Interestingly, in this process, the House of Representatives not only submitted the request but also acted as guarantor. Hinca stated that he represented Commission III in guaranteeing Amsal.
“Usually, there is a guarantor. In this case, Commission III of the House of Representatives. And in the form of me guaranteeing directly,” he emphasised.
Then, Hinca quickly proceeded to Tanjung Gusta Prison in Medan to pick up Amsal. He also coordinated with the public prosecutor to ensure the administrative process ran smoothly.
This suspension, he continued, is a response to public pressure from various quarters, particularly the creative economy community that has been following the case.
He stressed that the House of Representatives’ step is a form of the state’s presence in responding to public aspirations. He even linked it to President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to promoting the creative economy sector.
“The hopes of the public, netizens, and creative workers have finally been answered. The state is present,” he emphasised.
Nevertheless, Hinca assured that the legal process will continue. He stated that he would be responsible for bringing Amsal back to the trial to hear the panel of judges’ verdict scheduled for Wednesday, 1 April 2026.
“Whatever the judge’s decision later, we respect it. I appreciate the quick response from the Medan District Court, which has considered public aspirations in making its decision,” he explained.
Previously, the corruption case ensnaring videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu drew attention. Amsal was demanded to serve 2 years in prison for allegedly marking up the production of village profile videos in Karo Regency for the 2020-2022 Fiscal Year by Rp202,161,980.
In the prosecution hearing at the Medan District Court, Prosecutor Wira Arizona stated that Amsal was proven to have inflated the budget (markup) in the village profile video production project in Karo Regency for the 2020 to 2022 Fiscal Years.
The prosecutor asked the panel of judges to impose a 2-year prison sentence on Amsal. In addition to the prison term, the defendant was also demanded to pay a fine of Rp50 million or subsidiary 3 months’ imprisonment. Not only that, Amsal was also burdened with repaying state losses amounting to Rp202,161,980.
If not paid, it would be replaced with 1 year of imprisonment. The case of videographer Amsal Sitepu, accused of markup or budget inflation in the village profile video production, has received attention from Commission III of the House of Representatives. Commission III has even scheduled a Public Hearing Meeting (RDPU) regarding the case.