House Commission III Appreciates Acquittal of Amsal Sitepu in Village Profile Video Case

Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission III has expressed appreciation for the acquittal of Amsal Christy Sitepu by the Medan District Court in the corruption case concerning the production of village profile videos in Karo Regency. Commission III Chairman Habiburrahman assessed the decision as reflecting a sense of justice.

“We certainly extend our highest appreciation to the panel of judges at the Medan District Court for acquitting Mr Amsal Sitepu just a few hours ago,” said Habiburrahman to reporters on Wednesday (1 April 2026).

According to him, the case had raised concerns from the outset, particularly as Amsal, a videographer by profession, was charged under corruption provisions. He deemed the arguments regarding alleged price inflation in the matter difficult for the public to accept.

Habiburrahman assessed that the panel of judges had implemented Article 5 of the Judicial Power Law. He stated that the judges’ decision aligned with legal values.

“Creative work differs from the procurement of physical goods that have standard base prices. Creative endeavours have subjective values, and as long as there is agreement, that agreement gives rise to the price,” he said.

“So once again, we extend our highest appreciation to the panel of judges. As we are the party pushing for continued improvements in judges’ welfare. This week, we have begun discussing the Judges’ Position Law. All colleagues are committed that if judges are of increasingly high quality, we will be even more enthusiastic about addressing the security and welfare of our judicial colleagues,” he continued.

Furthermore, Habiburrahman highlighted suspicions of unprofessional conduct by the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office in handling the case. Habiburrahman mentioned that his side would summon the Karo District Prosecutor along with the public prosecutors to seek explanations.

“This has become somewhat of a phenomenon. We see resistance, possibly from dirty law enforcement officials who are uncomfortable with our activities in listening to public aspirations and holding RDPU,” he stated.

Habiburrahman admitted receiving reports of a group of people staging a demonstration. Additionally, he said, there were misleading narratives constructed by the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office.

“Among them regarding the suspension of detention. The suspension of detention was a request from Commission III—it’s a request in wording—that was granted by the judge. A court product, granted by the court. It should have meant that Amsal would not return to prison. He should have been released immediately at that time,” he explained.

“But our colleague Mr Hinca Panjaitan had to wait several hours, waiting for the prosecutor from the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office to arrive and sign the documents, and they created propaganda as if we had violated procedures, when in fact they had gone far beyond substantive procedures,” he continued.

Therefore, his side plans to summon the Karo District Prosecutor tomorrow. Habiburrahman will also invite the Prosecutorial Commission.

“We will summon the Karo District Prosecutor along with the prosecutors tomorrow, and we will also invite the Prosecutorial Commission to evaluate such matters,” he said.

This Gerindra Party politician expressed disappointment with the Karo District Prosecutor’s stance, which he viewed as contrary to the Attorney General’s leadership, which has been responsive to DPR input and public aspirations.

“We want to see what the evaluation will be like, especially at the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office. We are very disappointed. We are ready to be held accountable for what we have carried out in the past few days regarding Amsal Sitepu. We are ready. So we will summon, we will hear their reasons,” he stated.

Previously, the judges at the Medan District Court declared Amsal Christy Sitepu not guilty in the corruption case for producing village profile videos in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. Amsal was thus acquitted.

“The Defendant Amsal is declared not proven guilty and acquitted,” said the panel of judges chaired by M Yusafrihardi Girsang when reading the verdict at the Medan District Court, as reported by detikSumut on Wednesday (1 April 2026).

Amsal had previously been demanded a two-year prison sentence by the prosecutor. Additionally, Amsal was demanded to pay a fine and restitution.

“Demanding the imposition of a criminal sentence on the Defendant Amsal Sitepu of two years’ imprisonment,” stated Public Prosecutor Wira Arizona at the Medan District Court on Friday (20 February).