Amsal Sitepu Case: Kajari Karo Apologizes to DPR Amid Controversy

Jakarta – The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III will summon the Head of the Karo District Attorney’s Office and representatives from the Commission of Prosecutors on April 2, 2026, to evaluate the handling of the case involving videographer Amsal Sitepu. The summons comes amid allegations of bureaucratic obstruction and potential interference from “dirty officials” in the investigation, according to Komisi III Chairman Habiburokhman.

The case centers around Amsal Christy Sitepu, a videographer from Karo Regency, who is accused of corruption related to a project involving the creation of village profile videos. Sitepu broke down in tears before members of the DPR, stating he was simply trying to make a living and expressing his love for his homeland. He claimed the project was initiated in 2019 when the creative economy was struggling due to lockdowns, and he offered his services at Rp30 million per village – a price he considered reasonable given the risks involved, including the loss of a drone during filming.

According to Sitepu, auditors and prosecutors dismissed the value of his creative work, assigning a zero value to elements like ideation, editing, cutting, and dubbing. This led to accusations of price inflation (mark-up), despite his contention that if the pricing was deemed excessive, the project should have been rejected rather than leading to his criminalization.

Allegations of Mark-Up and Interference

The Karo District Attorney’s Office has acknowledged the possibility of a mark-up in the budget for the village communication network project, which is connected to Sitepu’s case. Kasi Intel Kejari Karo, Dona Martinus, revealed the alleged modus operandi of the corruption, claiming the state suffered a loss of Rp 202 million. However, details regarding the specific methods used in the alleged mark-up remain under investigation.

Habiburokhman, Chairman of Commission III, has indicated concerns about resistance from “dirty officials” attempting to obstruct the investigation. This has prompted the DPR to demand clarification regarding alleged propaganda and obstacles to the suspension of Amsal Sitepu’s detention. The DPR is seeking a thorough explanation of the circumstances surrounding the case and the challenges faced by the prosecution.

Calls for Justice and Apology

Members of Commission III have voiced strong support for Sitepu, with some suggesting he should be acquitted. Lola Nelria of the RDPU (Team Eight for Handling Legal Affairs of the DPR) stated that Commission III will continue to defend citizens in similar situations, even “until the day of judgment.”

The Kajati (High Prosecutor) of North Sumatra has issued an apology to the DPR following the uproar surrounding the case. This apology suggests a recognition of the sensitivity of the situation and the need for greater transparency in the handling of the investigation.

“Saya cuma mencari keadilan, Pak. Saya cuma pekerja ekonomi kreatif biasa, Pak. Saya tidak punya wewenang dalam anggaran. Sederhananya saya hanya menjual,”

Amsal Christy Sitepu

The DPR’s summons of the Kejari Karo and the Commission of Prosecutors signals a heightened level of scrutiny regarding the Amsal Sitepu case. The outcome of the upcoming hearing is expected to shed further light on the allegations of corruption, obstruction, and potential interference, and could have significant implications for the future of the investigation.