Mardani Allegedly a Victim of Criminalization

The former Regent of Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan, Mardani H Maming, has been ordered to serve a sentence of 10 years and 6 months, according to the Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the corruption eradication commission (KPK). In addition, a replacement payment of IDR 118.7 billion was demanded from the former leader of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association.

The request for the defendant who was brought before the court in the mining permit bribery case has sparked a variety of reactions from the general public, academics, and observers. The prosecutor's demands were viewed as being excessive and imposing by a number of people.

It was actually thought that the former general treasurer of the PBNU was being criminalized in this case. Berry Nahdian Furqon, the secretary of the South Kalimantan PWNU, stated on Sunday (15/1) that "many people think that Mardani is a victim of criminalization.".

Berry concurs that the alleged criminalization is also meant to prevent Maming from participating in politics and other leadership-related contests due to the ex-conviction label attached to him. Mardani H Maming, who is well-known for holding this position, is the chairman of the South Kalimantan PDI-Perjuangan DPD, which will select the candidates for governor of South Kalimantan in the 2024 election.

One of the top contenders for governor of South Kalimantan is Mardani, according to reports. "However, that is only one of their motivations; the others are rivalries in business and superiority.

There are those who believe they are stronger and don't want anyone to surpass them, Berry said. In the event that this accusation is accurate, he regrets that the KPK was compromised by such deposited cases.

In order to prevent further acts of criminalization by specific individuals or groups that control the business, power, and legal networks, Berry urged the public to be more critical and actively participate in speaking out against injustice. Professor Uhaib As'ad of the Islamic University of Kalimantan (Uniska) Banjarmasin agreed that the case involving the former district head of Tanah Bumbu, Mardani H Maming, was not devoid of conflicts or rivalries in local politics and business. This agreement was equivalent to three pennies.

"Of course, since I'm the regional boss with authority, a lot of businesspeople will approach me. If they're not careful, though, they risk getting sucked into a rent-seeking vortex. Particularly if the regional leader has rivals in politics and business who want to bring him down," said Uhaib.

Similar Cases, Less Charges, 10 Charges, The 5 years in prison for Mardani H Maming attracted considerable criticism and was thought to be excessive in comparison to other similar cases. For instance, consider the case of Nurdin Abdullah, the former governor of South Sulawesi, who received a 6-year prison term for bribery and gratuities.

The same goes for Maliki, who was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of graft within the North Hulu Sungai Regency Government of South Kalimantan. "In fact, it has been awkward from the beginning ever since I was identified as a suspect.

According to Berry Nahdian Furqon, the impression is similar to completing orders. For example, prior studies at the regional and central levels had been conducted before the issuance of the permit in the case of the transfer of IUP.

Even the IUP that was actually published bears the clear and unblemished stamp of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Berry recognized how arbitrary this situation was.

The incident that the Corruption Eradication Committee is concerned about occurred in 2011, and it also made use of the testimony of people who have passed away. The claim made by Mardani that he had received up to 118 billion IDR was denied by him.

"The accusation made against Mardani H Maming was very blatant. In contrast to other cases, the KPK named him a suspect right away, according to Berry.

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Professor Uhaib As'ad of the Islamic University of Kalimantan (Uniska) Banjarmasin agreed that the case involving the former district head of Tanah Bumbu, Mardani H Maming, was not devoid of conflicts or rivalries in local politics and business.