Pursuing Zarof Ricar's Assets, Expert: Kejagung's Modern Approach to Handling Corruption

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) continues to pursue the assets of Zarof Ricar as a form of optimising the return of assets resulting from criminal acts of corruption to the state. This represents a modern step in handling corruption offences.

Legal expert from Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Hibnu Nugroho, stated that Kejagung is beginning to optimise the confiscation of assets from corruption offences. “So, before the Asset Confiscation Law is enacted, Kejagung has already started pursuing the maximum return of state losses. I think this is a good step,” said Hibnu.

Zarof Ricar is the convict in the bribery case for arranging the acquittal of Ronald Tannur. Zarof has been sentenced to 18 years in prison by the High Court, after previously being sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Surabaya District Court.

After becoming a convict, the Jampidsus investigators from Kejagung continued the investigation into the source of the money and other assets belonging to Zarof Ricar through investigations into money laundering offences. As a result, Kejagung discovered shadow companies, or ghost companies established by suspect AW together with convict Zarof Ricar as companies for holding the proceeds of money laundering offences.

Hibnu Nugroho stated that Kejagung’s step to pursue the assets owned by Zarof Ricar is a very important step. The strategic position of this step, according to him, is the complete resolution of bribery or corruption cases.

“Not only resolving the criminal act, but also pursuing where the money flows or the money laundering. Because many corruption suspects carry out money laundering,” he said.

Kejagung is pursuing money laundering offences so that the assets can be returned to the state. So, not only is Zarof Ricar imprisoned, but the money from the unlawful acts can also be returned to the state. “This is a modern law enforcement step, which not only pursues the perpetrators but also where the corruption money is diverted. If necessary, up to the passive perpetrators, namely those who receive the flow of money not directly,” he explained.