Legislators Pressure Attorney General to Non-Activate Two Prosecutors
Thursday, 06 March, 2008 | 18:33 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission on Justice is urging the Attorney General, Hendarman Supandji, to non-activate Deputy Attorney General for Special Criminal Action, Kemas Yahya Rahman, and the Investigation Director, M. Salim.

They are considered to be responsible for bribery carried out by prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan, who was caught when receiving money amounting to US$ 660,000.

“They are members of the investigative team for Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI) funding”, said Gayus Lumbuun, a member of the DPR Justice Commission, during a meeting with the Attorney General at the DPR complex in Senayan, South Jakarta, yesterday (5/3).

A similar statement was made by other member, Azlaini Aziz.

The commission has also requested Hendarman Supandji to explain the arrest of prosecutor Urip.

The Commission to Eradicate Corruption (KPK) caught Urip Tri Gunawan receiving money from Artalyta Suryani, a commissioner of Bank Dagang Nasional Indonesia (BDNI) and a person trusted by tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim, in Simprug area, South Jakarta, last Sunday afternoon (2/3).

The arrest took place two days after the Attorney General announced its decision to stop the BLBI investigation.

Urip is member of the BLBI investigative team.

According to information obtained by TEMPO, Artalyta has been a long history of maintaining relations with attorneys.

She often takes them for holidays to the island of Lelangga Kecil in Lampung.

“Attorneys from the Attorney General's Office (AGO) often visit the island”, said a member of staff from PT Bukit Alam Surya, a property company owned by Arthalyta.

Deputy Attorney General for Special Criminal Action, Kemas Yahya Rahman, admitted to Tempo that he knew Artalyta.

However, he said he did not remember when they first met.

“She is a public figure. I heard that she is the treasurer of National Awakening Party (PKB)”, said. Kemas, adding that Artalyta was a guest at the to wedding of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's first son, Agus Harimurti, to Anissa Pohan.

Kemas stressed that he does not have any relation with Artalyta regarding the BLBI case.

Attorney General Hendarman has refused to non-activate his staff.

He however promised that all persecutors will be punished if it is proven that they have acted against the law.

“They will not only be non-activated, they will fired if necessary”, said Hendarman.

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