Judge Sarpin's Dismissal

THE verdict of Judge Sarpin Rizaldi in granting the pretrial motion of Police Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan is not only questionable, it makes no sense. The judge determined that Budi was not a law enforcer at the time of his alleged crime, hence his indictment for corruption by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is legally flawed.

Budi's position from 2003 to 2006, when he was charged with accepting bribes and gratuities from officers seeking promotions, was chief of career development at the Office of the Deputy Police Chief in charge of Human Resources. Judge Sarpin determined that the position required Budi to carry out only administrative tasks, unlike other police officers who must pursue and investigate criminal cases. As such, according to Sarpin, Budi should not be investigated by the KPK.

February 24, 2015