TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) considers the Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leaders have spread a hoax about bribery suspect Harun Masiku's whereabouts. Yasonna previously insisted that the PDIP politician was still abroad.

"It's clear that Yasonna and KPK leaders have spread hoax to the public," said ICW researcher, Kurnia Ramadhana when contacted on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

This case has entered the investigation stage, Kurnia reminded. Considering that several parties are attempting to hide Harun by spreading such a hoax, KPK shouldn't hesitate to issue an investigation warrant with obstruction of justice allegation as it is regulated in Article 21 of the Corruption Crime Act.

"The minister is suspected to have committed the obstruction of justice since he made a statement that was contradicted to the fact or [saying] a hoax," said Kurnia.

The whereabouts of the bribery suspect came to light after the anti-graft agency conducted a sting operation and arrested Wahyu Setiawan, yet they failed to apprehend Harun.

The Immigration Directorate General stated that Harun was in Singapore since January 6. However, Tempo's investigation discovered that he allegedly has arrived in Indonesia the next day.

Harun Masiku's wife, Hildawati Jamrin, confirmed that her husband had returned home since January 7, and the Immigration office eventually revised their statement.

The Law Ministry's Immigration Director-General and Judge Ronny Sompie said they did not know that Harun had returned to Indonesia due to data delay.

Andita Rahma | Safira Andini (Intern Translator)