Karo District Prosecutor's Office Still Uses Old KUHAP Provisions in Detaining Amsal Sitepu

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Head of the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office, Danke Rajagukguk, stated that the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office is still referring to the provisions in the old KUHAP when detaining videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu as a suspect in the alleged corruption case.

This explanation was given by Danke after the Chairman of DPR RI Commission III, Habiburokhman, questioned the objective basis for detaining Amsal shortly after he was named a suspect.

“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,” Danke said during a public hearing (RDPU) with DPR RI Commission III on Thursday (2/4/2026).

Habiburokhman previously emphasised that detention should no longer be purely subjective but must meet measurable conditions as regulated in Article 100 Paragraph 5 of the new KUHAP.

“It is common knowledge that detention is no longer purely subjective but must be based on clear and measurable reasons as regulated in Article 100 Paragraph 5 of the new KUHAP,” said Habiburokhman.

He then detailed several detention conditions, namely the suspect ignoring investigators’ summons twice without valid reasons, providing statements not in accordance with facts, obstructing examinations, or attempting to flee or destroy evidence.

“Which point of the above detention conditions is met so that Mr Amsal Christy is subjected to detention?” said the Gerindra Party politician.

The Chief Judge, Mohammad Yusafrihardi Girsang, stated that Amsal was not proven guilty, either in the primary or subsidiary charges.

“Therefore, the defendant is acquitted from all charges by the public prosecutor. The defendant’s rights in terms of ability, position, dignity, and honour are restored,” said Judge Mohammad Yusafrihardi Girsang.

In that project, Amsal offered video production costs of Rp 30 million per village to around 20 villages.

However, based on expert analysis and audit by the Inspectorate, the reasonable cost was estimated at around Rp 24.1 million per video.

The difference in value then became the basis for the alleged budget inflation.