When this nation has gone soft on corruption, this nation has become increasingly undermined by corruption. Corruption not only causes state losses but also corrupts the nation\'s values.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro
Pinangki Sirna Malasari answers questions from the public prosecutor during his trial as a defendant at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Wednesday (6/1/2021). Pinangki is a defendant in the gratification case.
Prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari, one of the defendants in the release of corruption convict Joko Tjandra, remains a mystery. Her sentence was light.
Following the trial in first degree court, Pinangki kept mum on who was referred to as the "King Maker". The panel of judges also failed to find out the identity of the "King Maker".
Therefore, the panel of judges at the corruption court chaired by IG Eko Purwanto increased Pinangki\'s sentence to 10 years. Public prosecutors demanded a four-year prison term for bribes of more than US$500,000. In their consideration, the panel of judges considered Pinangki to be convoluted.
Pinangki is a prosecutor. Prosecutors are law enforcers. In the trial at the first degree court, the relationship between prosecutor Pinangki and lawyers and other law enforcers to manage cases, including arranging clemency, was revealed. Pinangki\'s trip to Kuala Lumpur to meet fugitive Joko S. Tjandra raised a big question, who sent her to Kuala Lumpur? Was it a personal initiative?
Therefore, the substantial discount of up to 60 percent by the court of appeal really irks the public\'s sense of justice. The panel of appeal judges chaired by Muhammad Yusuf, Haryono, Singgih Budi Prakoso, Lafat Akbar and Reny Halida Ilham Malik cut Pinangki\'s sentence to four years. The judge\'s 10-year sentence was deemed too severe by the panel of appeal judges. One of the mitigating reasons was that Pinangki is a woman and has been fired as a prosecutor. The verdict was unanimous. There was no difference of opinion.
Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo
The former Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Subdivision II at the Planning Bureau of the Deputy Attorney General for Guidance for Pinangki Sirna Malasari left the courtroom at the Corruption Court (Tipikor) at the Central Jakarta District Court, Wednesday (2/12/2020).
Judicial power is independent in accordance with the law. However, that does not mean that the public cannot question it when their sense of justice is disturbed. Judgment examination is one way to examine the decision of the five high court judges. Of course it can be a record for the benefit of career development in the future.
The decision on Pinangki is a test for the prosecutors\' office. Whether the prosecutors’ office will appeal or accept the verdict in accordance with the previous demand. If there is no action from the prosecutors\' office and Pinangki to appeal, Pinangki\'s verdict will have permanent legal force. Justice will not be served and the “King Maker” will not be revealed.
The various events raise questions to the elite of this country. Is this nation really serious about fighting corruption? Corruption that impoverishes the nation. Corruption that widens the gap. Such reflective questions deserve to be asked following this corruption verdict and the removal of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) employees who had worked hard to arrest corruptors.
When this nation — executive, judicial, and legislative — has gone soft on corruption, this nation has become increasingly undermined by corruption. Corruption not only causes state losses but also corrupts the nation\'s values. Before it is too late, let us contemplate how to win the war against corruption in this country, together.
