MAKI Urges In Absentia Trial for Riza Chalid
MAKI’s coordinator Boyamin Saiman respected the Jakarta Anticorruption Court’s verdict against Kerry Adrianto and others in the Pertamina crude oil mismanagement case. However, he simultaneously urged the Attorney General to expedite legal proceedings against Riza Chalid, including opening the option of an in absentia trial.
“I respect the court’s decision against Kerry Adrianto and his colleagues regarding Pertamina’s oil governance. Kerry was sentenced to 15 years, and the others received 8 or 9 years,” Boyamin said on Friday (27/2).
He assessed the verdict reflected a sense of justice as it approximated the prosecution’s relatively high demands. Although the defendants retain rights to appeal and cassation, MAKI still appreciated the court’s decision.
MAKI’s focus has now shifted to Riza Chalid, whom it considers inadequately processed. Boyamin demanded the Attorney General seriously work to return him before Eid.
“I demand that the Attorney General immediately and seriously act to return Riza Chalid through various channels. This has a maximum deadline until Eid. If that fails, I request the third option: that he be tried in absentia,” he said.
According to him, the substantial state losses provided strong grounds for bringing the case to trial, even without the defendant’s presence.
“Because it involves significant state losses, to fulfil justice for Riza Chalid, he should be tried in absentia. This means by April at the latest, the trial should proceed. Meaning proceedings in March and trial by April,” he said.
Boyamin even warned of potential statute of limitations expiry if legal proceedings continue to stall. He noted that Riza Chalid is suspected as the intellectual architect and must face trial.
“I have requested an in absentia trial for Riza Chalid because of the substantial state losses. If not tried in absentia and the case drags on for 18 years, it will expire and become inequitable. Because Riza Chalid is suspected of being the intellectual architect, he must be tried. Since he cannot be returned, an in absentia trial is the option,” he said.
If no in absentia trial occurs by May, MAKI is preparing further legal action. Boyamin said he would file a pre-trial motion to compel the Attorney General to either return or hold an in absentia trial against fugitive Riza Chalid.
“This is what I will emphasise—we will continue using the pre-trial motion option to compel the Attorney General to hold an in absentia trial or return Riza Chalid. This will be in May or June,” Boyamin concluded.