SUMMARY:

In the afternoon of Friday, Feb. 6, supporters of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) quickly assembled in front of the anti-graft agency’s headquarters after hearing rumors that the police were about to execute a search warrant. A stand-off between KPK and PDI-P supporters ensued, with several dozen police officers joining the crowd, raising expectations that the search was about to commence. Nonetheless, the situation concluded peacefully, and its 400 attendees dispersed without incident. As the tension dissipated along with the crowds, Deputy National Police Chief Badrodin Haiti told online news outlet detik.com that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had instructed him to take no further action against the KPK, and to maintain a calm and stable political environment until his return from his ASEAN tour.

On Saturday, Feb. 7, the KPK named Jero Wacik as a suspect in a corruption case during his term as Tourism Minister. The Democrat Party politician is also a suspect in an ongoing investigation into bid-fixing of an oil and gas project during his term as Mining and Natural Resources minister. The KPK also continued its investigation into former Religious Affairs minister Suryadharma Ali, and questioned M. Noer Alya as a witness in the case on Monday, Feb. 9.

On Sunday, Feb. 8, The Jakarta Globe reported that KPK Chair Abraham Samad had been cleared of illegal gun possession charges. Markoni Koto, of the little-known social organization Pekat, raised the alarm that Abraham Samad had received a .32-caliber pistol from the National Police’s Suhardi Alius, and that without a permit, it constituted a serious violation of the law.  Upon review, Deputy National Police Chief Badrodin Haiti determined the weapon had been a personal gift and came with the proper paperwork. Some sides have claimed that the gun was a gratuity that Abraham Samad was required to report.

On Monday, Feb. 9, hearings began at the South Jakarta District Court to consider Budi Gunawan’s pre-trial motion, which challenges his status as a suspect in a KPK investigation. The court had originally convened to hear arguments a week ago, but postponed proceedings to allow the KPK legal team time to prepare following last-minute revisions to the motion submitted by Budi’s lawyers. Outside the court building a group of attractive female “supporters”, gathered under the banner of Pekat, (which previously reported Denny Indrayana for defamation), called for Budi’s inauguration and an end to the “criminalization” of the police outside the courthouse. Other supporters admitted to having been paid Rp 50,000 and a box lunch for their participation in a demonstration of support for the police.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS:

Wednesday, Feb. 4 – National Police reveal investigations into remaining KPK commissioners already underway, charges against Abraham Samad "imminent"

Wednesday, Feb. 4 – Jero Wacik skips KPK summons as witness against former staffer

Wednesday, Feb. 4 –Denny Indrayana is reported to National Police for defamation of Budi Gunawan

Thursday, Feb. 5 – Budi Waseso is promoted to three-star general

Thursday, Feb. 5 – KPK’s Johan Budi warns President that lack of support could lead to “return of mandate”

Friday, Feb. 5 – Home Minister Tjahjo highlights importance of KPK, speaks of replacing commissioners

Saturday, Feb. 6 – KPK names Jero Wacik suspect in graft case related to term as Tourism minister

Monday, Feb. 9 – KPK questions M. Noer Alya as witness against former Religious Affairs minister Suryadharma Ali in haj graft case.

Monday, Feb. 9 – Hearings begin at South Jakarta District Court to consider Budi Gunawan’s pre-trial motion

IMPLICATIONS:

The peaceful end to the stand-off of rival supporters during Friday’s (Feb. 6) rally in front of the KPK, combined with Budrodin’s statement that Jokowi had ordered a halt to any further action against the KPK until his return on Tuesday, appeared to have a calming effect over the weekend.

The KPK continues to make progress in a number of cases related to high-level corruption among former ministers, and appears to have restored – for now – its ability to successfully summon witnesses for questioning after claims last week that the agency had been “paralyzed” by the conflict with the National Police.

As hearings on Budi Gunawan’s pre-trial motion began today, the KPK’s legal team appeared confident it would prevail in convincing the South Jakarta District Court to maintain Budi’s status as a suspect, based on the fact the criminal code explicitly states a suspect’s legal status cannot be challenged in pre-trial hearings.

COMMISSIONERS’ LEGAL STATUS UPDATE

Abraham Samad – complaint filed with police, under investigation

Adnan Pandu Praja – complaint filed with police, under investigation

Bambang Widjojanto – charged as a suspect

Zulkarnain – complaint filed with police, under investigation