Yusril Reveals Why KPK Has Not Yet Taken Over Febrie Case
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Coordinating Minister for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra has said the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) does not yet need to take over handling of the alleged bribery and money laundering case implicating former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah.
According to Yusril, the Attorney General’s Office should be given the opportunity to handle the case as long as the investigation proceeds professionally, transparently and in accordance with the law.
“I have already said that since the case has been handed to the Attorney General’s Office, we should all observe it together, monitored together by all elements of society. Hopefully it stays on track. For the time being, the KPK does not need to take over this investigation,” Yusril said after a Plenary Cabinet Session at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday.
Yusril explained that the KPK has the authority to supervise corruption cases handled by both the Indonesian National Police and the Attorney General’s Office. The KPK may also take over a case provided a number of conditions set out in legislation are met.
These conditions include a protracted investigation, cases involving law enforcement officials, cases that attract public attention, and suspected corruption offences involving state losses or receipts exceeding Rp1 billion.
Nevertheless, Yusril stressed that this authority need not be exercised immediately if the Attorney General’s Office remains capable of running the legal process objectively and openly.
“Even though such authority is granted, if the handling is on track, truly professional and transparent, I think we should give the Attorney General’s Office the opportunity to conduct the investigation,” he said.
Responding to concerns about potential conflicts of interest given that Febrie is a former senior official within the Attorney General’s Office, Yusril expressed confidence that the investigation can still be carried out professionally.
He also urged the public to continue monitoring developments in the case so that its handling remains transparent and accountable.