Mahfud MD Challenges Attorney General, Police, of KPK to Investigate Corruption in Sea Fence Case

The TNI-AL Frog Troop Command (Kopaska) troops dismantled the sea fence in the Tanjung Pasir Beach area, Tangerang Regency, Banten, Wednesday (22/1/2025). (DOC. ANTARA PHOTO)

JAKARTA - Constitutional law expert, Mahfud MD, challenged law enforcement officials from the Attorney General's Office (AGO), the Indonesian Police (Polri), or the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), to dare to investigate corruption in the mysterious marine fence case in Tangerang waters. Mahfud appreciated the steps taken by all marine-related agencies who were no longer afraid to go directly to the sea after the order from President Prabowo. However, he reminded that this case was not an ordinary violation because it was considered to be included in the category of robbery of state wealth.

One who hasn't and that is very important, namely until we talk about this, there is no clarity on the legal process. In fact, this is an extraordinary violation of the law, robbery of state wealth, robbery of natural resources protected by law (UU)," Mahfud said in his statement, Wednesday, January 29.

Mahfud emphasized that in the applicable law in Indonesia there has never been a maritime right or HGB at sea, there is only the right to use buildings on the ground. He assessed that the HGB certificate given on water and the plots had been made indicated that there was indeed malicious intent. He suspects that when it is full of abrasion and appears to be land, the land will be divided, measured per meter and become a reclamation.

Therefore, Mahfud encouraged the AGO, the National Police or the KPK to immediately take action to process the criminal law. Because according to him, the case of the sea fence is clearly a criminal law because a certificate has been issued.

Mahfud explained that the issuance of certificates on the sea is proof that there is fraud or embezzlement. Because the sea cannot be certified, he said, the police can immediately process it. However, according to him, in this case it is strongly suspected that there is a collusion, a game with relevant officials that must involve money.

"Why play with officials, because they can leave an official certificate, not just one, it must be a crime, if it is a residence crime, if the corruption aspect is to be taken because officials are suspected of accepting bribes, then the KPK, the Attorney General's Office, and the Police can take action," said Mahfud.

Mahfud explained that anyone has the authority to process and anyone who acts first cannot be disturbed by other agencies.

"Everything is authorized, and there is no need to fight, who knows first or takes steps first, it should not be disturbed by two other institutions. Well, I think this is afraid of each other, I'm surprised why our officers are afraid of something like that, so it's suspicious," said Mahfud.

Moreover, he added, in bureaucratic psychology in Indonesia, these subordinates are always afraid that superiors and subordinates will often be blamed if they act without directions from superiors. Therefore, Mahfud hopes that the highest superior of all law enforcement officers, President Prabowo, will firmly give orders.

"Why is there no explanation that this has been investigated by the police, this has been investigated by the Attorney General's Office, don't let the case disappear, it will be dismantled later, everyone is secretly because they have received part or protected each other, then this case is gone, even though this case is a serious case," concluded Mahfud.