PRIME NEWS POST
By:
Dr. Ariman Sitompul, S.H., M.H., CPLi., ACIArb
The rapid action taken by the Medan District Prosecutor’s Office (Kejari Medan) in naming six corruption suspects within just two consecutive days Wednesday (12 November 2025) and Thursday (13 November 2025)—has sparked shock and widespread discussion among local residents. Many are now asking, “What exactly is happening inside the Medan City Government?”
First Case: Alleged Corruption in Subsidized Diesel Fuel Procurement
On Wednesday (12 November 2025), Kejari Medan named three suspects in an alleged corruption case involving the procurement of subsidized diesel (solar) for garbage transport vehicles in Medan Polonia District for the 2024 fiscal year, with an estimated budget of approximately Rp332 million.
The suspects are:
IAS, former Head of Medan Polonia District and budget user,
KAL, Head of Facilities and Infrastructure as well as project technical officer (PPTK),
IRD, a contract-based staff member at the Medan Polonia District office.
Prosecutors have detained IAS at Tanjung Gusta Class I Detention Center and IRD at the Class IIA Women’s Detention Center. Meanwhile, KAL has not been detained after failing to respond to summons without explanation.
“He was already summoned, but never showed up,” a prosecutor official stated.
Second Case: Alleged Corruption in the 2024 Medan Fashion Festival
Just a day later, on Thursday (13 November 2025), Kejari Medan named three additional suspects in a separate corruption case linked to the Medan Fashion Festival 2024, which reportedly caused state losses reaching Rp1.1 billion.
The suspects include:
BIN, Head of the Medan Cooperative, SMEs, Industry and Trade Office,
MH, Director of CV Global Mandiri (the event contractor),
ES, Secretary of the same office who also served as Commitment-Making Officer (PPK) and currently the Head of Medan Transportation Office.
Both BIN and MH have been detained. ES, however, has not been detained due to health reasons and has been scheduled for a second summons on Monday (17 November 2025).
Two days and six suspects—this situation has left many Medan residents shocked and concerned.
“Heavy problems we’re facing in the city government now,” a resident commented.
Academic Criticism: Prosecutors Accused of Acting Too Hastily
Legal scholar and academic from Universitas Dharmawangsa Medan, Dr. Ariman Sitompul, criticized the rapid and back-to-back naming of suspects, arguing that such patterns risk eroding public trust.
“Naming suspects in quick succession without a comprehensive explanation creates the impression that the investigation is not carefully designed, but reactive and unstructured. This is a serious concern.”
Ariman also noted a lack of transparency from Kejari Medan.
“Transparency is mandatory. The public needs clarity on whether the suspect naming meets the proper evidentiary standards.”
His view is supported by University of Indonesia Criminal Law Professor Chairul Huda, who emphasized that naming a suspect is a serious legal act that requires at least two strong and valid pieces of evidence.
“When law enforcers rush, the risk of criminalization and procedural errors becomes higher.”
Not in Line With the Attorney General’s Directives?
The criticism appears sharper when compared with the repeated warnings issued by Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, who has frequently reminded prosecutors across the country not to rush in naming suspects.
“Prosecutors must act professionally, objectively, and without haste when naming suspects.”
Burhanuddin also stressed that regional corruption cases must not create public unrest and should prioritize the recovery of state assets. Ariman suggested that the pattern observed at Kejari Medan may contradict these directives.
“If this pattern continues, the public may view Kejari Medan as inconsistent with the Attorney General’s policies,” he said.
Past Cases That Tarnished the Prosecutor’s Office
Ariman highlighted that rash decisions in naming suspects are not new and have previously damaged the reputation of the Prosecutor’s Office. Examples include:
1. Belawan District Prosecutor’s Office (Medan) mistakenly named Jufri Cardo Pasaribu a suspect in a building corruption case later declared unlawful by the Medan District Court in pretrial proceedings.
2. Katingan District Prosecutor’s Office named Jainudin Sapri a corruption suspect without sufficient preliminary evidence. The Kasongan District Court ruled the suspect designation invalid.
These incidents underscore how procedural errors can harm the integrity of law enforcement institutions.
“Every premature suspect designation is an attack on the Prosecutor’s Office’s credibility,” Ariman stressed.
Risk of Legal Uncertainty
Ariman concluded by warning that these patterns of action may create legal uncertainty.
“Kejari Medan must not appear more focused on media optics than on procedural accuracy. That is not law enforcement—it is a formality that endangers the institution’s own reputation.”
Dr. Ariman Sitompul, S.H., M.H., CPLi., ACIArb
Head of the Master of Law Program, Universitas Dharmawangsa Medan
Executive Board Member, ADIHGI (Indonesian Association of Law and Criminology Lecturers)
PRIME NEWS POST
Editor: Prime News Post Journalist
Sources: Compiled from various reports
Photos: Google Documents / Special File
