Following Amsal Case, Attorney General Delivers Important Message to Regional Ranks
The Medan District Court panel of judges in North Sumatra acquitted videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu on Wednesday (1/4).
Amsal Sitepu was found not guilty of marking up the production of village profile videos in Karo Regency for the 2020-2022 fiscal year amounting to Rp202 million (Rp202,161,980).
The case garnered national attention because during the trial, the public prosecutor stated that several work items in Amsal’s proposal should have a value of zero rupiah or no economic value. DPR Commission III then held a General Hearing (RDPU) earlier this week, attended by several parties, including Amsal.
It was not only in the legislative body, but internally within the prosecutor’s office, Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin delivered an important message to his ranks, particularly the Adhyaksa Corps in regions across Indonesia.
Burhanuddin urged all regional ranks to uncover large-scale corruption cases and not to focus solely on village funds.
“Eradicating corruption in the regions must be no less vigorous than at the centre and must not only focus on village funds, but also dare to address cases with significant state losses,” he stated in a received statement.
This was conveyed by Burhanuddin during a working visit to the Papua High Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday (31/3). He requested that corruption eradication in the regions be no less vigorous than that of the Attorney General’s Office.
On that occasion, he instructed the ranks in Papua not to focus on cases like village funds. This directive was given after the alleged markup case for producing village profile videos involving videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu came under public scrutiny.
In addition, on that occasion, Burhanuddin appreciated work units that have been active in investigating special criminal offences. On the other hand, he also reprimanded work units deemed still passive in uncovering corruption cases.
According to him, the courage and professionalism of law enforcers are key to dismantling corruption practices that have a significant impact on state finances and public welfare.
Burhanuddin then discussed major cases in Papua, including alleged corruption of PON XX Papua funds and the construction of Aerosport facilities in Mimika. He also emphasised the importance of optimising state loss recovery.
He then reminded that there are still outstanding replacement payments of Rp97.14 billion in the Papua region that need to be followed up immediately.
“Given that there are still outstanding replacement payments of Rp97.14 billion in the Papua region,” he said.
Strengthening the role of prosecutors in general criminal matters
In addition, he also emphasised strengthening the role of the Prosecutor’s Office in areas such as general criminal matters. Burhanuddin assessed that the current number of rehabilitation centres is still minimal and there are still delays in executing convicts and evidence in several District Prosecutor’s Offices.
Specifically, Burhanuddin requested professionalism in handling cases that attract public attention, such as the shooting of a Smart Air plane by an armed criminal group in the Merauke area.
Furthermore, in the intelligence sector, he emphasised the importance of escorting 38 national strategic projects in Papua worth around Rp3.7 trillion. Then the function of state prosecutors in assisting local governments, as well as internal supervision.
Finally, Burhanuddin reminded all ranks to maintain integrity and be wary of backlash from corruption actors or “corruptors fight back.” Therefore, he requested that every case handling be carried out professionally, transparently, and accountably.
Amsal Case in Karo
Meanwhile, regarding the acquittal for Amsal, the Public Prosecutor (JPU) at the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office has not yet determined legal steps regarding the acquittal verdict handed down by the Medan District Court panel of judges.
The Intelligence Section Head of the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office, Dona Martinus, said that they are still considering whether to file a cassation or accept the decision. In addition, she said she would first report to the prosecutorial leadership before determining further legal steps.
“We have followed the entire trial process up to the reading of the verdict by the panel of judges. In principle, we respect that decision. Next, we will think about determining the next steps,” said Dona after the trial at the Medan District Court.
In the previous hearing, JPU Wira Arizona read out the indictment demanding the defendant Amsal be imprisoned for 2 years, pay a fine of Rp50 million subsidiary 3 months imprisonment.
Not only that, Amsal was also burdened with paying state loss compensation of Rp202,161,980. If not paid, it would be replaced with imprisonment for one year.
In the previous hearing, the prosecutor accused Amsal of marking up the village profile video production project for 20 villages in Karo Regency, with costs per village reaching Rp30 million. The source of the video production funds came from each village’s village funds.
Meanwhile, during the trial, Amsal denied the accusation and emphasised that he was merely a creative worker.
The case also became national attention because during the trial, the JPU stated that several work items in Amsal’s proposal should have a value of zero rupiah or no economic value. DPR Commission III held a meeting on Monday (30/3) attended by several parties, including Amsal.
There were five conclusion points from the RDPU in DPR Commission III, some of which included proposing themselves as guarantors for the suspension of Amsal’s detention.
“Substantively, the creative work of a videographer does not have a certain standard price, so it cannot be said that there was inflation or markup from the standard price. This includes generating ideas or initial creative concepts, editing work or editing, video cutting or cutting, and voice filling or dubbing, which are creative works that cannot be unilaterally valued at zero rupiah,” read an excerpt from DPR Commission III’s conclusion points at that time.