REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- House Speaker Setya Novanto has expressed concern over the case of O.C. Kaligis, a top lawyer and senior member of the Nasdem Party.
Kaligis had been named as a suspect and detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in connection with his alleged involvement in the bribery case related to the judges of the North Sumatra administrative court.
"I am very concerned over the arrest of Kaligis, who is a senior, reliable, and professional lawyer, on Tuesday," he stated at the parliament building here on Wednesday.
He voiced his complete support to the KPK with regard to its efforts to eradicate corruption, but he hoped all sides would respect the principles of presumption of innocence.
He was optimistic that Kaligis would remain strong while dealing with the legal case.
"Certainly, I support the supremacy of the law in this case. I hope that his family would also remain strong. I have known Pak (Mr) O.C. for 22 years," he affirmed.
He admitted to have been unaware of the charges levied on Kaligis by the KPK, but he believed that the anti-graft body has a strong foundation for settling corruption cases.
House Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon also expressed concern over the problem faced by Kaligis, who had been allegedly charged with bribing administrative court judges and hoped for a thorough settlement of the case.
The case showed that a judicial institution also needed improvement besides the executive and legislative.
"This incident is very concerning, as such cases have occurred many times (case of bribery involving judges), and we must laud what the KPK has done," he noted.
Fadli urged the KPK to investigate the case thoroughly, as it was linked to a court ruling.
He deplored claims that Kaligis, as an individual who is well-versed in law, has allegedly conducted bribery.
"I hope it would not happen with other lawyers and would serve as an invaluable lesson to all," he affirmed.
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KPK Acting Commissioner Indriyanto Senoadji stated that the KPK had issued an order for conducting an investigation into Kaligis' case.
Kaligis was named a suspect, as he had allegedly bribed three administrative court judges in Medan, North Sumatra.
Kaligis has also been banned from leaving the country along with five others: North Sumatra Governor Gatot Pujo Nugroho and wife Evy Susatni and the lawyers from Kaligis' office: Julius Irawansyah Mawarji, Yulinda Tri Ayuni, and Yeni Oktarinan Misnan.
The case, in which Kaligis has been implicated, emerged after the KPK officers found US$15 thousand and five thousand Singapore dollars during a raid on the office of Tripeni Irianto Putro, the head of the administrative court in Medan.
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