Videographer Amsal Sitepu Reveals Irregularities in His Case to DPR Commission III, Suddenly Named Suspect in Village Video Project
Videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu has revealed irregularities in the legal process that ensnared him. He claims he was never examined by the inspectorate regarding the village profile video project, yet was suddenly designated as a suspect.
Amsal conveyed this during a meeting with Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Monday (30/3/2026). He explained that he was initially summoned as a witness in 2025, but on 19 November 2025, his status changed to suspect.
“In fact, sir, I was never examined even once. Not even once was I examined by the inspectorate regarding this work, sir,” said Amsal.
He also mentioned the results of an examination that was reportedly conducted on the village side. “Even the village head stated that they had already been examined. One year after the work was completed, they had already been examined by the inspectorate. But the inspectorate acknowledged and stated that no problems were found,” he said.
According to Amsal, the trial facts actually show no aggravating elements against him. “The village head brought by the public prosecutor, who should have been a witness aggravating me, did not aggravate me at all, sir. They stated that they were satisfied with the results of this work,” he said.
He also expressed confusion over the legal status imposed on him. In fact, during the trial, the judge questioned the reason for his imprisonment.
“Even the Chief Judge at that time in one of the trials asked, why could he be imprisoned? The judge asked the village head, they didn’t know. There was a proposal he offered. The village head answered, there was. How much was the value of the proposal he offered? Rp 30 million, said the village head. How much did you pay? Rp 30 million,” he said.
“And the judge asked, so why could he be imprisoned? The village head answered, I don’t know, Your Honour. And until now, I am still very confused about this situation,” he said.
On the other hand, Amsal emphasised that the project value of Rp 30 million per village was in accordance with the initial agreement. “So, the village COVID video production work started when in 2019 there was COVID-19, sir. Which swept the world,” he said.
He explained the situation at that time caused him and his team to lose work. “So at that point, we creative economy workers, especially those in the field of photo and video media production, lost our jobs because of the lockdown, sir,” he said.