Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – Members of the fact-finding team set up to investigate the alleged framing of two antigraft body chairmen are slated to meet Thursday to discuss the South Jakarta District Court's ruling that has now ordered the two officials to stand trial.
Todung Mulya Lubis, a member of the team, admitted that the reason used by prosecutors to drop the prosecution against Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leaders, Bibit Samad Riyanto and Chandra M. Hamzah was flawed.
"One of the recommendations issued by the team of eight was to stop the investigation of Pak Bibit and Pak Chandra. But it seems that the Attorney General's Office (AGO) only half-heartedly implemented our recommendations as they used ambiguous reasons in the letter to stop the prosecution," the noted lawyer said.
The team was formed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono last year following pressure from the public to probe the alleged incrimination of Bibit and Chandra by Anggodo Widjojo, brother of graft fugitive Anggoro Widjojo.
Anggodo filed a pre-trial lawsuit against the AGO's decision last month. On Monday, the court ruled in favor of Anggodo, ordering the prosecutors to bring the case of Bibit and Chandra to trial. It said the "sociological reasons" cited by prosecutors to stop the prosecution against the pair had no legal basis.
Judicial Mafia Taskforce member Mas Achmad Santosa said the verdict would undermine the antigraft commission. "I don't know who is behind the attempt to discourage the KPK. But, if Pak Bibit and Pak Chandra are suspended again, the KPK would only have two leaders left, and that will definitely weaken the commission," he said.
The Taskforce, formed by President Yudhoyono following the Bibit-Chandra case, on Tuesday reported the judge handling Anggodo's pre-trial lawsuit to the Judicial Commission. Taskforce members Mas Achmad Santosa, Yunus Husein and Darmono requested the commission to examine Nugroho Setiaji, the sole judge handling the trial.
Mas Achmad said the Taskforce did not oppose the ruling because it went against the fact-finding team's recommendation. "We are just curious why the court accepted Anggodo's request," he said.
Mas Achmad declined to comment when asked if the Taskforce's quick action was ordered by the President, who said in a speech last year that law enforcers should drop the prosecution against Bibit and Chandra. "Just wait for the Judicial Commission to finish the examination," he said.
Judicial Commission chairman Busyro Muqoddas said the commission had responded to the Taskforce's request by sending a letter to the South Jakarta District Court requesting a copy of the verdict.
"We will possibly summon the judge trying the case," Busyro said, referring to Judge Nugroho Setiadi. (rdf) Taskforce members requested the commission to examine Nugroho Setiaji, the sole judge handling the trial.