Hundreds rally in Karo, urge prosecutors to pursue village fund corruption case
Karo, Thekabarnews.com—On March 30, hundreds of people from different community groups in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, held a peaceful protest to show their support for the prosecutors working on a...
Karo, Thekabarnews.com—On March 30, hundreds of people from different community groups in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, held a peaceful protest to show their support for the prosecutors working on a corruption case related to a video project about the village profile.
The protesters gathered in front of the regional legislative council (DPRD) office before going to the Karo Prosecutor’s Office. There, they asked the police to keep the investigation going without help from anyone else.
People held up signs and banners telling the national lawmakers to stay out of the case. One of the signs advised against involvement in corruption investigations involving village funds and urged respect for law enforcement.
Daris Kaban, who organized the protest, said it was to support the prosecutors and keep politics out of the case.
“We want to ensure that powerful politicians don’t pressure prosecutors to do their jobs. Corruption should not be a political issue,” he said.
Prosecutors have charged videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu with inflating the cost of a video production program for the village. Many people are talking about this case. The controversy is why people are protesting.
The Indonesian House of Representatives’ Commission III has also talked about the case. People fear the case will hinder law enforcement in their area.
Rajagukguk, the Karo District Prosecutor, thanked the protesters for their support and welcomed them.
“Let us work together to end corruption in Karo,” he said.
The prosecutor’s office is currently investigating four cases of corruption related to the handling of village funds, according to officials. The court is currently handling three of these cases, and two have reached a final verdict that requires legal compliance. One is still going on.
The government believes that the cases will cost the state around Rp1.8 billion. About Rp202 million of that has to do with the Amsal case.
People are genuinely interested in the case because of what it means for the creative industry. Lawyers express concern over the application of corruption laws due to the varying prices of videography services, which often leads to inaccurate cost estimates.
Defense attorney Willyam Raja stated that multiple village leaders verified the project’s agreement for Rp30 million per village and its successful execution.
People who are following the case say it raises bigger issues about how to find a balance between fairness and accountability when the government buys things from private companies.
The protest ended peacefully, with people asking the government to make sure that the courts are fair and open.
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