Is Antasari really Guilty ?

After the South Jakarta District Court sentenced him to Seven Years in prison and pay a Fine of Rp 300 Million last week, ex Taxman Gayus Tambunan made some shocking statements to reporters.

Gayus said that the Prosecutors should have brought Cirus Sinaga, who prosecuted him in his previous case, as witness. He said that this was not done because they feared that Cirus Sinaga would reveal the irregularities in the murder case of former Chief of the Corruption Eradication Commision (KPK) Antasari Azhar. He also said that Cirus Sinaga has fabricated the said murder case.

Antasari is now serving an 18-year jail term for ordering the murder of state company director Nasrudin Zulkarnaen in March 2009. The Supreme Court has upheld the verdicts of the District Court and the High Court in Jakarta.

Last Tuesday, one week after Gayus made his allegations, the lawyer of Cirus Sinaga denied those allegations.

Gayus's statement reminded me of the murder charges against Antasari who was popular at that time because of KPK's successes in handling Corruption Cases that involved very important officials, e.g. former Deputy Governor of the Bank Indonesia who is the father-in-law of President SBY's son, and Bank Century Bailout which involved former Governor of said Bank and current Vice President Boediono.

First, there was the relationship between Antasari and the Golf Caddy girl Rani Juliani who turned out to be the second wife of the director of the state company he murdered.
As the a top official, it is very strange that he want to be involved continuously with such girl while actually he can easily get better ones.     

Secondly there was the rendezvous between Antasari and the girl at a hotel at a very crowded area in South Jakarta. For a married guy in his position, this is very foolish. Why not choose a villa at the Ancol beach resort in North Jakarta  where they can do anything they want without others knowing ?

Third, the murder was carried out by a group of 11 people lead by a Police Colonel Wiliardi that reminded me of commando operation in battle movies. Why so many people involved in the murder of an unguarded civilian ? Actually it can be done by only two persons therefore minimizing the leak of information about the crime.

Fourth, according to the report of Forensic Expert Dr Mu'nim Idris, it was difficult for him to determine about the murder because Nasrudin's body was sent to him in a manipulated condition, it has been moved from one hospital to another, bullet wounds were stitched, his hair shaved.

Fifth, Colonel Wiliardi said that the murder was fabricated by the Police. While former Chief Detectives of the National Police Susno Duaji confessed in favor of Antasari. 

Considering the above, I felt that there should be an investigation to find out the truth about the murder charges against Antasari Azhar.

Sources :
-  Tudingan Rekayasa Polri di Sekitar Kasus Antasari (Detik)
-  Cirus Says No Set Up in Antasari's Murder Trial (The Jakarta Globe)
-  Mayat Nasrudin Sudah dimanipulasi (VivaNews)
-  MA Tolak Kasasi Antasari (Liputan6)
-  Satgas Bantah Semua Tuduhan Gayus Tambunan (Tribune News)

Corruption Fighter Sentenced to 18 years in Jail

This afternoon, the District Court of South Jakarta has decided that the former Chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Antasari Azhar is guilty of  premeditated murder of a state owned company director Nazruddin and sentenced him to 18 years in prison. Please find below a report in Kompas. 

Considering that many key witnesses have testified against the Prosecution in court, Antasari is planning to appeal against said court verdict, the further development of this case would be interesting.  

Antasari Proposes A Plea for 18 Year Imprisonment

Kamis, 11 Februari 2010 | 16:17 WIB

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The panel of judges has finally given its verdict for the former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief, Antasari Azhar, accused for the murder of the director of PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran, Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, at the South Jakarta State Court, Jakarta, Thursday. The accused is sentenced for 18 years of imprisonment.
"The panel of judges sentence the accused for 18 years of imprisonment," stated presiding judge Herri Swantoro, Thursday afternoon. The sacked chief of Indonesia’s anti-corruption commission was sentenced after a trial dismissed as a sham by his supporters.

“The defendant has been found guilty of involvement in a premeditated murder,” chief judge Herri Swantoro told the South Jakarta District Court at the end of the four-month trial.  After the chief judge read the verdict, Antasari proposed a plea for it.
Earlier today the other three accused for masterminding the premeditated murder of Nasrudin have all received their verdicts. The standing so far is: 12 years for Wiliardi Wizar, 15 years for Sigid H. Wibisono, five years for Jerry Hermawan Lo, and finally 18 years for Antasari Azhar.

Antasari's litigation has taken up four months. Antasari's side has stated even before the verdict came out that they'd settle for nothing less than a total victory. "I respect the trial... but as a citizen who obeys the law, we still want to seek the truth, thus we will appeal," stated Antasari himself at the end of the trial. (C17-09)

Corruption Fighter is Facing Death Sentence

During yesterday's trial at the District Court of Central Jakarta, the Prosecutors have requested the judges to punish former Anti Corruption agency (KPK) Chief Antasari Azhar with a death sentence for murdering Nasrudin Zulkarnaen.

This request is surprising because in previous court trials some key witnesses have denied allegations made by the Prosecutor and the Police, among others as follows :
1) Pol. Colonel Wiliardi Wizar who was accused of coordinating the murder has withdrawn his testimony
against Antasari, he said that Deputy Chief Detective Insp. Gen. Hadiatmoko has pressured him to testify that Antasari ordered the murder of Nasrudin. After that he apologized to Antasari for all the trouble.
2) Although Hadiatmoko denied by saying he has nothing to do with the case, but his ex boss Susno Duaji
testified that the National Police Chief Bambang Danuri has assigned Hadiatmoko to handle the case. 
3) Forensic expert Mu'nim stated that his Coroner's report was not appropriate  because  when he received Nasrudin's body, it was already manipulated i.e head baldly shaves and wound on his forehead stitched.
4) The ability of the civilians who were accused of executing the murder were in doubt

The above development, and previous unsuccessful attempts to link KPK Deputy Chief Bibit and Chandra with corruption charges, have caused public speculation that Antasari may have been a victim of conspiracy to undermine the KPK. For detailed media reports on the above, please click here, here and here.

I hope that the court's judges would wisely consider all aspects, especially justice and legal certainty, before passing their judgment on this very high profile case, so that justice shall prevail and the law enforcement agencies can focus attention on important matters like the mysterious flow of Rp 6.7 Trillion of tax payers' money to Bank Century.

Photo : Courtesy of The Jakarta Globe.

Is Antasari Azhar Guilty ?

During trial of former Chief of Commission for Eradication of Corruption (KPK) Antasari Azhar at South Jakarta District Court, last Thursday, former Chief of Police Investigation Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji said that he didn't know about the investigation on the murder case.

Susno said that he was never appointed to investigate the case, because the Chief of National Police Bambang Danuri has appointed Susno's Deputy Insp.Gen. Hadiatmoko to the job and report directly to Gen. Bambang.

Susno's statement has made the Antasari Case became more weird every day, because Susno's appearance in Court, wearing Police uniform, was strongly protested by the Police top brass because he has not requested for prior approval from the Police Chief.

Antasari Azhar was arrested by the Police and prosecuted by the Attorney General Office (AGO) on charges of murdering Nasruddin, Director of a state owned company.

During the trial, some prime witnesses, and defendants, have canceled/withdrew statements that they have given earlier to the Police.

Police Colonel Wiliardi Wizard, who was accused of coordinating the murder execution including two motor bikers who shoot Nasrudin in his car after leaving a golf course in Tangerang, Banten, canceled his earlier statement and even apologized to Antazari at the trial.
The alleged executors, who were untrained ordinary men, did the same cacellation.
The Forensic expert, Abdul Mu'nim, stated that he received Nasrudin's body already manipulated i.e. hair already cut and wound in forehead already stitched, therefore he cannot provide a reliable visum.

Moreover, two Deputy Chiefs of KPK, Bibit and Chandra, who were arrested by the Police on several unproven allegations have been released and re-installed to their offices at KPK.

For details, please click here and here.

Considering the above, some people are beginning to question whether or not Antasari Azhar is really guilty for the murder, or he is only a victim of the alleged conspiracy to weaken the KPK. In order to shed away such disturbing doubts, I hope that the Court proceedings of this case will reveal the real truth so that legal certainty and justice can prevail in Indonesia.

Antasari's Testimony

Since the Police arrested Antazari Azhar for alleged murder of director of state own company Nazarudin Zulkarnaen, his position as Chairman of Commission for Eradication of Corruption (KPK) was suspended, and KPK's power as the most powerful Anti Corruption fighter in Indonesia began to fade away.

KPK became weaker after Antasari gave the Police a Testimony alleging KPK's other leaders of receiving bribes from PT. Masaro Radiokom which was investigated by KPK for corruption cases at the Department of Forestry and bribe of a member of Parliament (DPR).
In last night's interview with MetroTV, Antasari's lawyer Denny Kailimang said that the Testimony was written based on a recorded conversation between Antasari and the owner of PT. Masaro Radiokom Anggoro Wijaya in Singapore on October 2008.
After Antasari returned to Jakarta, his secretary downloaded the recording into Antasari's laptop, which was confiscated by the Police during a raid to the KPK office recently.

In reaction to the Testimony, KPK's Vice Chief Bibit Santoso doubted its content and said that the testimony defamed KPK.
While Vice Chairman of Transparency International Indonesia Soraya Aiman said that Antasari's meeting with Anggoro violated KPK Law No. 30/2002 which forbid its leaders from interacting directly with anyone suspected by KPK. Soraya further said that what has been quoted in the Testimony cannot be regarded a Witness Statement in Court because according to the Penal Code Art. 185 (1) a Witness Statement should be made in Court.

For details on the above, please click here , here,here, and here.

Considering the above mentioned facts, I hope that the Police investigation of the Nasrudin Murder case would finalized soon, so that the Prosecutor can bring it to the court for trial, that way the truth about Antasari's involvement can be revealed.

The Man Behind Antasari

The Police have arrested Antasari Azhar, non active Chief of the Corruption Eradication Commision (KPK), as Prime Suspect in the murder of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, Director of a State owned Company.

According to news media, Antasari did not plan it by himself, but someone arranges & financed the operation i.e Sigit Haryo Wibisono, President Commissioner of the Merdeka daily newspaper.
According to Politikana, Sigit is the son of the former Chief of Staff of the Diponegoro Military Command who started his political career by joining the Golkar Party, and has served as Assistant to the Minister of Social Bachtiar Chamsyah of the People Development Party (PPP). After he left the Golkar Party, Sigit joined former President Abdulrahman Wahid's (Gus Dur) party i.e the Nation Awakening Party (PKB), & persuaded the latter to dump Muhaimin Iskandar and his men from the party’s leadership, splitting the party into two i.e. pro Gus Dur and pro Muhaimin. And during the Parliament Election last April, PKB was represented by Muhaimin's group.
Moreover, he was also reported as being involved in intelligence activities of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).
And Sigit has also been reported to have connections with some prominent figures in Indonesia i.e former President Megawati, former Soeharto’s son in law Prabowo and former Chief of the Armed Forces Wiranto. His relationship with KPK began when he was Assistant Minister of Social Affairs, during which he reported about corruptions in the Department. Besides, he was a member of Antasari’s success team when the latter was nominated as the chief of KPK.
Sigit's role in the murder was revealed by the former Chief of South Jakarta Police i.e Collonel Williardi Wizar, who said that Sigit has gave him Rp. 500 million for operational costs of the murder.

In spite of media reports that the cause of murder was the dispute between Nasrudin & Antasari over a Golf Caddy Girl i.e. Rani Juliani who is now under Police protection, however there were some doubts about it. Kompas quoted Antasari’s lawyer Juniver Girsang as saying that there is a hidden scenario behind this murder case, especially because Antasari has been fighting corruption intensively.

Considering the above, I believe that Sigit knows about what really happen, that this case is not merely a romance case. I hope that the Police investigations of this case would lead us to the real answer.

The Arrest of Antasari

After questioning the non active Chief of the Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (KPK) Antasari Azhar for 8 hours yesterday, the Jakarta Police has announced that the former is a Suspect who Masterminded the murder of the Director of PT. Putera Rajawali Banjaran Nasrudin Zulkarnaen.

According to Kompas, this announcement was made by the Chief of the Jakarta Police Wahyono based on the result of prior interrogation of 10 other Suspects in this case i.e Daniel the Executor, Hendrikus Walen who gave instruction, Heri Santoso the motorcyclist, A & C as field observers of the execution, AM observer of the victim’s behavior, Wiliardi Wizard (Police Colonel), and Jerry Kusuma as liaison officer, and Sigit Haryo Wibisono who financed the execution. The Police have accused Antasari of committing Pre-Meditated Murder based on the Penal Code Art. 340, with a maximum punishment of death penalty, and therefore placed him under arrest.

According to Detik, in order to safeguard Antasari’s well being, the Police have not placed him in a general detention center where corrupters caught by KPK are placed but in a Narcotic Detention Center. In this regards, Antasari’s lawyer Ari Y. Amir was quoted as saying that on Tuesday he will request for postponement of detention. He further said that Antasari has given some hints that there is a grand scenario behind this case which he plan to reveal later on.

Let's just wait and see the further development of this case.

The Antasari Case

Yesterday, most Indonesian newspapers, radio and TV stations have been reporting about the controversial story of the Chief of Commission for Eradication of Corruption (KPK) Antasari Azhar.

The controversy was caused by the announcement of the Deputy Attorney General that the Police has named Antasari as a Prime Suspect in the Murder of the Director of PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran: Nasrudin Zulkarnaen. While according to the Police’s Summons Letter to Antasari, the latter would be questioned on Monday(tomorrow) as a Witness.

Based on said announcement, Nasrudin’s brother & lawyer have requested the Police to arrest Antasari because of his status as Prime Suspect, and also because he has sent a threatening SMS to Nasrudin. They also asked the Police to guarantee the safety of the 2 killers of Nasrudin who voluntarily surrendered to the Police because their lives have been threatened by certain party who wants to erase linkage to the crime.

Further, the Collective Chairmanship of KPK, consisting of four Deputy Chiefs, has decided to non-active Antasari, and takes over the leadership collectively pending the investigation of this case.
Meanwhile, the news media has still not succeeded in locating Rani Juliani, i.e. the Golf Caddy Girl who was has been said to be the cause of dispute between Antasari & Nasrudin. I have visited her two blogs i.e. ranijuliani.blogspot.com and rani-juliani. blogspot.com. In the Shout Box, a visitor asked her to show up and explain to the public, and she replied by saying that she doubt that such act would be good for her.

Considering that KPK is a Law Enforcement Agency that has been highly respected by the Indonesian people for their efforts to combat corruption, it is important that this case to be processed properly according to the Criminal Procedural Law (KUHAP) & the Penal Code (KUHPidana). Anyone involved in this case should be investigated, the sooner the better. That way, the case would not be used as a political game by anyone.

Investigation on Anti Corruption Chief

Since it was established in 2002, the Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (KPK) has been trying its best efforts to combat corruption in Indonesia.

Due to this reason, I was very surprised when I read on Tempointeraktif that the Attorney General Office (AGO) has announced the Chief of KPK i.e. Antasari Azhar, a former AGO’s Director, has been declared by the Police as a Prime Suspect in the bloody killing of Nasruddin Zulkarnaen, Director of state owned company PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran, who was shot by 2 men riding a motorcycle on his way home from playing golf at a golf course in Tangerang, Banten.
The Deputy Attorney General Wisnu Subroto was quoted as saying that based on the Police’s request; the AGO has banned Antasari from traveling abroad, so as to facilitate the investigation.
However, Antasari denied that he has been involved in the murder, saying that Nasrudin has been reporting to KPK about corruption.

It was said that the possible cause of murder was that Antasari and Nasruddin were fighting over a Golf Caddy Girl who was married by the latter through Islamic Siri way. And last Wednesday the Police have arrested 9 persons who are connected to the murder.

Further, Viva News reported that the Jakarta Police has summons Antasari to come to its office on Monday, 4 May 2009 at 10 am. to be questioned as a Witness in the murder of Nasruddin, Crime based on Penal Code Art. 340 (Pre-meditated Murder) in conjunction with Art. 55(1); Alternatively Art. 338 (Murder).

In spite of the contradiction between the AGO’s statement and the Police summons as to the status of Antasari, I hope that this case would be investigated thoroughly so that in the end the truth shall be revealed and justice shall prevail.