medcom.id, Jakarta: On November 16, 2015, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said revealed one House of Representatives ((DPR) member involved in an extortion case related to PT Freeport Indonesia's working contract extension.
Sudirman mentioned that the lawmaker asked shares of Urumuka Power Plant project in Timika, Papua. As an exchange, he promised to smoothen Freeport's working contract extension.
On that same day, Sudirman reported the case to House Ethics Tribunal (MKD). He brought evidence of recorded conversation between the lawmaker, one businessman and PT Freeport Indonesia CEO Maroef Sjamsoeddin.
Sudirman's action quickly created controversy. Media tried to guess who is the alleged lawmakers. Many lawmakers were angry with the report and challenged Sudirman to prove his accusation.
Government was also dragged into the case, as Sudirman revealed the lawmaker falsely using president and vice president's name during conversation with the Freeport boss.
"President and Vice President were angry with this," revealed Sudirman when he reported the case to MKD.
later on that day, Sudirman confirmed the alleged lawmaker was House Speaker Setya Novanto.
Novanto immediately tried to clear his name. In front of media, he rejected the accusation from Sudirman.
"I never use this issue for any interest. I never use president and vice president's name," the Golkar polician said in November 16.
Ethics Trial
A week before Novanto's ethics trial was started, Golkar replaced its representatives in MKD. It was seen as an effort to guard the politician.
"We want to make sure the trials are done according to the rule," clarified Golkar Secretary General Idrus Marham on December 26.
In the mean time, public pressure demanding Novanto to step down continued to gain momentum. Launched on November 18, the online petition asking his resignation was signed by more than 70 thousand person in less than a week.
On November 2, the first trial was held. It undoubtedly drew public attention. The trial was open for media so people can watch it live in television.
In the trial, Sudirman was summoned to explain his report but the most important thing happened near the end. After the questioning session, MKD agreed to hear the full record of conversation between Novanto, Maroef and businessman named M Riza Chalid.
When the record was played, the evil conspiracy related to Freeport's working contract extension was blatantly exposed. The record showed how politician and businessman collude for personal gains.
According to the record, Riza talked about how he approached officials. While Novanto tried to ensure Maroef that he can influence President Joko Widodo, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law and Security Luhut binsar Panjaitan who then held position as Presidential Chief of Staff.
President Jokowi, Vice President Kalla and Luhut quickly denied the content of the record. President Jokowi, who is known for his calm nature, even responded angrily to it.
"I don't mind if they say I am crazy president, insane president, stubborn president. I don't mind. But if it is about honor, falsely using name, asking 11 percent shares, I cannot tolerate that! This is about decency, ethics, moral. This is about state authority," President Jokowi said on December 7.
After Sudirman, MKD then summoned Maroef, Novanto and Luhut. Different with others, the trial was closed for media when Novanto gave his testimony. MKD tried to summon Riza but he reportedly have left the country.
Resignation
MKD was planned to give verdict in November 16. The last trial was ended with voting. 10 MKD members voted for medium violation while the other seven members voted for heavy violation.
However, before MKD issued its verdict. A letter from Novanto was read in the trial. It was Novanto's resignation letter as House Speaker.
"This position is a responsibility and all must be based on that. Therefore, let me convey my resignation as House leader," write Novanto in the letter.
In the letter, Novanto said he stepped down to guard honor and dignity. Until his resignation, Novanto still maintained his innocence.
MKD closed the trial after Novanto's resignation letter was read. Later, the decision was criticized because MKD closed the trial without giving any verdict.
Although he lost his position as House Speaker, Novanto succeeded to maintain his influence in parliament. His party shortly appointed him as new Golkar Faction Chief.
After the end of political process in MKD, the legal process started to pick up the pace.
Coinciding with ethics trial in MKD, Attorney General's Office (AGO) started to investigate case. It summoned Maroef and confiscated his phone that was used to record the conversation. It also summoned Novanto's staff and other related figures.
Attonery General HM Prasetyo promised his institution will investigate the case properly.
In the end of the year, AGO stated it has sent letter asking permission from President Jokoi to summon Novanto. According to the law, law enforcer needs presidential permission to examine a lawmaker. Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said Palace will study the request.
After it stole public attention in 2015. Novanto's case will enter new episode next year.
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