Parliament Urges Removal of Karo District Prosecutor Over Amsal Sitepu Case
Members of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR), I Wayan Sudirta, have urged the dismissal of the Karo District Prosecutor in North Sumatra, Danke Rajagukguk, in connection with the alleged budget markup case for a serial village profile video project that previously ensnared videographer Amsal Sitepu.
During an audience meeting at Commission III of the DPR, Wayan described the Karo District Prosecutor’s actions in the case as a fatal error. According to Wayan, the Head of the North Sumatra High Prosecutor’s Office (Kajati Sumut) must take a firm stance.
“If I were the Kajati of North Sumatra, I would simply reassign this District Prosecutor because the mistake is very serious,” Wayan stated during the meeting on Thursday (2/4).
The PDIP politician mentioned that Danke had committed two errors. First, Danke had allowed the public prosecutor’s team to prepare weak charges in Amsal’s case, resulting in the judge acquitting him.
However, instead of admitting fault, Wayan said Danke continued to make excuses.
“If all elements are fulfilled, could the judge acquit Sitepu? The answer is definitely no. It would be better if the female District Prosecutor emulates the good example from the Kajati, apologising with all humility,” Wayan said.
Second, Wayan explained, Danke was overly convoluted in granting the detention suspension for Amsal Sitepu as proposed by Commission III of the DPR. Instead of suspending, Danke transferred the detention of Amsal.
“A District Prosecutor only understands that detention suspension cannot be done alone. I’m a bit confused, Mr Kajati, this is a District Prosecutor. Surely with extensive experience, surely knows what detention suspension means. How could it be stated as detention transfer?” Wayan remarked.
A member of Commission III of the DPR from the PDIP Faction, Safaruddin, urged the Head of the North Sumatra High Prosecutor’s Office (Kajati Sumut), Harli Siregar, to impose strict sanctions on the Karo District Prosecutor and her subordinates who were negligent in handling the case.
“The Karo District Prosecutor along with all her apparatus who are at fault must be dealt with. They must be dealt with!” Safaruddin said.
In fact, according to him, the District Prosecutor could also face criminal charges. Because the Karo District Prosecutor is deemed to have disobeyed the judge’s order.
“Because this female District Prosecutor also has the potential to receive criminal sanctions. Why? Under Article 281, for not obeying the judge’s order. This must be followed up,” he stated.
Amsal has now been acquitted in the case. The Panel of Judges at the Medan District Court, on Wednesday (1/4), stated that Amsal was not proven guilty of marking up the production of village profile videos in Karo Regency for the 2020-2022 Fiscal Year by Rp202,161,980.
“Ruling, declaring the defendant Amsal not proven legally and convincingly guilty of committing the act as per the primary and subsidiary charges of the public prosecutor,” stated the panel of judges chaired by Mohammad Yusafrihardi Girsang.