DPR Member Demands Strict Sanctions Against Karo Prosecutor's Office Staff Over Amsal Case

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of the House of Representatives’ Commission III, Abdullah, has called for strict sanctions to be imposed on the prosecutors at the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office in North Sumatra, following the legal controversy in the case involving videographer Amsal Sitepu.

Abdullah stated that the Chief Prosecutor of Karo and his staff issued a letter intervening in the suspension of Amsal Sitepu’s detention, which had already been decided by the Medan District Court, and propagated claims accusing the House of Representatives’ Commission III of intervening in the Amsal case.

“In that regard, I urge that the Chief Prosecutor of Karo and the involved staff who conducted the intervention and propaganda in the suspension of Amsal Sitepu’s detention be given strict sanctions,” said Abdullah at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Thursday.

He stated that the case reflects an anti-criticism stance among law enforcement officials. In this era of open information and democracy, such a culture is no longer relevant for officials to practise.

“Because when anti-criticism becomes a culture, it will make institutions and human resources, such as those at the Karo Prosecutor’s Office, unable to develop, unable to keep up with the spirit of the times, or unable to adapt to changes,” he said.

In response, Abdullah urged the Attorney General’s Office to uniformly improve the capacities of prosecutors. If not, there will be many cases of prosecutors violating laws and regulations that will erode the integrity of the Attorney General’s institution.

“In the long term, the public will experience a crisis of trust not only in the Attorney General’s Office but also in law enforcement in realising substantive justice,” he said.