DPR Dissects Amsal Sitepu Case: From the Core Issues to Intimidation and Prosecutorial Propaganda
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The case of alleged budget inflation that once ensnared videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu was dissected during a public hearing (RDPU) by Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Thursday (2/4/2026).
In the forum, various aspects of the case handling were spotlighted, from the basis for designating the suspect, reasons for detention, use of the old Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), to allegations of intimidation and propaganda by certain prosecutors.
Chairman of Commission III DPR RI, Habiburokhman, directly questioned the legal basis used by the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office (Kejari Karo) in designating Amsal as a suspect in the alleged mark-up of the village profile video project.
“We request an explanation of what serves as the legal reasons for designating Mr Amsal Christy Sitepu as a suspect? What is the Prosecutor’s Office’s argumentation that Mr Amsal Christy Sitepu committed price mark-up and so forth?” said Habiburokhman.
“With permission, here we may not be talking about inflation, but certainly mark-up,” replied Danke.
He explained that Amsal is alleged to have asked the village head to prepare a Budget Plan (RAB) for equipment rental over 30 days.
However, based on trial facts, the video production activity did not last that long.
In addition, Danke mentioned allegations of overlapping budgets.
Amsal is said to have budgeted Rp 9 million for video production, yet added costs for editing, cutting, and dubbing at Rp 1 million each.
“According to editing experts, cutting, and dubbing are the same as video production design. Thus, cutting, editing, and dubbing are considered as losses,” said Danke.
Commission III also highlighted the reasons for Amsal’s detention.
Habiburokhman emphasised that detention must meet objective requirements as stipulated in the new KUHAP, such as absconding from investigator summons or attempting to destroy evidence.
“Which point of the detention requirements above is fulfilled so that Mr Amsal Christy is subjected to detention?” he said.
“According to us, the basis for detaining Mr Amsal is Article 21 of the old KUHAP, where Amsal was detained from 19 November 2025 to 8 December 2025,” said Danke.
It is known that the new KUHAP came into effect on 2 January 2026.
Commission III also criticised the Karo Prosecutor’s Office, which is deemed to have built a narrative as if the DPR was intervening in the legal process when Amsal was released from detention.