Kejati East Java Assistant Public Prosecutor Examined by Attorney General's Office over Case Violation Allegations

The High Prosecutor’s Office of East Java (Kejati Jatim) has issued an official clarification regarding reports of one of its officials being examined by the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung). They confirmed that Assistant for General Criminal Affairs (Aspidum) Joko Budi Darmawan, along with another prosecutor, is undergoing an examination process in Jakarta. Head of the Legal Information Section (Kasi Penkum) of Kejati Jatim, Adnan Sulistiyono, stated that this precautionary measure follows suspicions of violations in handling a particular case. According to him, it represents an effort to clarify information related to the prosecutor’s performance. “In response to circulating reports regarding the suspected securing of a prosecutorial official at the High Prosecutor’s Office of East Java, we state that the securing in question involves suspicions of violations in case handling, which is currently under process for questioning or clarification by the Attorney General’s team,” Adnan said in his official statement on Wednesday (1/4). Adnan revealed that the examination of the Kejati Jatim Aspidum and a head of section in the General Criminal Affairs division has been ongoing since mid-March. To date, both remain under intensive examination by the Kejagung team to delve into the actual circumstances of the case. “In connection with this, the Aspidum of Kejati East Java, along with one prosecutor serving as Head of Section in the General Criminal Affairs division, has been undergoing examination by the Attorney General’s team since 17 March 2024. The examination process is still ongoing,” he said. Adnan stated that the case handling has been conducted in accordance with applicable hierarchical procedures. Before being handed over to the Attorney General’s Office, Kejati Jatim claimed to have first conducted an initial internal and independent examination. “As a commitment to transparent, objective, and accountable law enforcement, Kejati East Java states that the handling steps have been taken swiftly and hierarchically. The Chief Prosecutor, along with the Deputy Chief Prosecutor, has conducted an internal examination of the relevant parties, and subsequently handed over the handling and further examination of the individuals to the Attorney General’s Office,” he said. Regarding the details of the case or the substance of the matter leading to the examination of the two prosecutors, Adnan urged all parties to be patient and avoid speculation. He emphasised that the current examination status is still in the clarification stage, so no conclusions can yet be shared with the public. “Thus, given that the examination or clarification process is still ongoing, any information developing in the public domain regarding the substance of the case cannot yet be concluded,” he added. On the other hand, Kejati Jatim also refuted narratives circulating on social media or certain news portals alleging involvement of other officials, including issues of fund flows to the Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Jatim. Adnan affirmed that such information lacks basis and is untrue. “Furthermore, regarding several reports that do not cite clear sources, are not supported by accountable data, and are tendentious—including narratives of alleged receipt of money by the Deputy Chief Prosecutor—Kejati East Java emphasises that such information can be qualified as false news or hoaxes and falls under the category of slander,” he said. Adnan stated that his side ensures that law enforcement operations in the East Java region continue normally despite some officials undergoing examination. “Dissemination of information without clear basis has the potential to cause misunderstandings and harm the public. Kejati East Java invites all parties to jointly maintain information balance and respect the ongoing legal process. Kejati East Java assures that all law enforcement processes continue professionally and objectively, without disrupting other case handling,” Adnan concluded.