Meeting in DPR Commission III, Gekrafs Supports Amsal Sitepu's Release
General Chairman of Gekrafs, Kawendra Lukistian, was invited to a hearing (RDP) between DPR Commission III and Amsal Sitepu, the defendant in an alleged corruption case involving the production of village profile videos in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. In line with DPR Commission III, Kawendra called for Amsal Sitepu to be released.
Kawendra initially stated that the case faced by Amsal could set a bad precedent for creative economy fighters in Indonesia. According to him, creative economy actors should not be afraid to partner with the government due to fears of criminalisation after completing their work.
“Creative economy actors are like one body. If one is wronged, all creative economy actors feel wronged. We want brother Amsal to be fully released,” Kawendra said during the meeting.
Kawendra also stated that services such as ideas, editing, and dubbing should not be valued at Rp 0 by auditors. A fair process must be prioritised, he continued. According to Kawendra, Amsal is merely a vendor or videography service provider, not a state official with budget authority.
“Situations like this have the potential to harm the spirit of our President in promoting the creative economy,” he said.
Kawendra also said that he pushed for this RDPU to be held because the current government is seriously promoting the creative economy sector as outlined in President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita.
“In President Prabowo’s Asta Cita, there are two words ‘creative’. The second Asta Cita is the creative economy. The context is building our economic framework through the creative economy,” he said.
Prosecutor’s Explanation
Head of the Public Prosecutor’s Information Centre at the Attorney General’s Office, Anang Supriatna, commented on the RDP held by DPR Commission III and Amsal Sitepu’s side. He appreciated the process.
“First, we respect it and indeed it is the function of the DPR to oversee so that law enforcement runs in accordance with applicable legal provisions and also to fulfil a sense of justice in society,” Anang said at the Attorney General’s Office.
Anang also permitted if DPR Commission III wishes to apply for suspension of detention for Amsal Sitepu up to demands for his release. He also believes that what is conveyed by DPR Commission III will be considered by the panel of judges.
“Regarding the request from this defendant, go ahead, there is a legal mechanism to pursue. One of them is then the prosecution, meaning next is the plea of defence from the defendant and legal counsel, just convey it there,” he said.
“Of course, it will then be considered by the panel of judges who decide,” he continued.
According to him, the RDP of DPR Commission III is also part of control over law enforcement.
“Regarding the RDP, we are ready and we respect it very much and we thank you, this becomes part of control for us as law enforcers to carry out our duties and functions in accordance with the rules and also to fulfil a sense of justice in society,” he stated.