Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Agency KPK Apologized After Revealing Military Officer's Alleged Bribery Case

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Last week, the head of Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Vice Marshall Henri Alfiandi was named as a suspect by the anti-corruption agency (KPK). The air vice marshall was allegedly involved in taking bribery for projects.

Lt. Colonel Administration Afri Budi Cahyanto who serves as a coordinator in Basarnas also became a suspect after being caught in KPK's Red-Handed Operation.

But KPK decided to publicly apologize after the military police criticized the agency. The military police have argued Henri's case should not be handled by a civil agency like KPK.

On Friday (28/7), Central Commander of Military Police Vice Marshall Agung Handoko visited KPK's office in Jakarta. And one of KPK leaders subsequently apologized.

Johanis Tanak, deputy leader of KPK, blamed his investigators for the slip that resulted in catching members of Indonesia National Army (TNI).

"We understand that our investigation team may have a lapse, forgetfulness, that is the involvement of TNI should be submitted to TNI, not ours to handle," said Johanis.

"Therefore we convey this lapse. We are asking for forgiveness," the former prosecutor added. Internal source from KPK later admitted Johanis was intimidated, so he apologized.

Vice Marshall Agung Handoko said the KPK should have consulted the military first. But Agung expected that KPK at least had informed the military before arresting their target.

A spokesperson of TNI Vice Admiral Julius Widjojono said that the military will not protect any members who violate the laws, but he also believes that military issues should not be handled by a civil agency as that would break the law.

"The law enforcement must be enforced, but not by breaking the law itself, not to mention this violation was done by a law enforcement," said Julius.

Internal source from KPK said that Johanis Tanak admitted that he was intimidated, so he decided to apologize. However the source did not detail the intimidation.

"Due to the circumstances at that time, we felt intimidated, we decided the necessity to apologize. Then booed by the staff," said a message from a staff as seen by Liputan6.com.

From Johanis Tanak's perspective, he accepted the booing and mocking from the staff because the apology was seen as important pivot to ease the the situation.

Another internal source from KPK said the staff demand Johanis to resign. Johanis was a 

Legal expert Feri Amsari from Andalas University criticized Johanis' decision to apology because KPK is actually allowed to catch the suspects. As for the next step, KPK also does not have to entirely hand the case to the military, because they still can monitor the legal process in the military court.

The President Joko Widodo, meanwhile, said the case is a problem of coordination. 

"In my view it's a problem of coordination. The problem of coordination that must be done," said Jokowi in Jakarta without commenting the details. 

Fachrur Rozie, Nila Chrisna Yulika, Muhammad Radityo Priyasmoro, and Lizsa Egeham contributed to this report.