Zarof Ricar Allegedly Promised Rp 1 Billion to Supreme Court Ad Hoc Judge to Handle Judicial Review

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – A former official of the Supreme Court who is a defendant in the bribery case of the acquittal of Ronald Tannur, Zarof Ricar, is reported to have promised Rp 1 billion as a token of gratitude to the ad hoc judge for corruption cases at the Supreme Court, Abdul Latif. The money as a gesture of thanks is said to be related to the handling of a judicial review in the case involving former Mayor of Batu for the 2007-2017 period, Eddy Rumpoko, in 2021.

This was stated by Abdul Latif while testifying in the continued hearing of the alleged bribery case concerning the legal proceedings of Ronald Tannur, with defendants Lisa Rachmat and Zarof Ricar at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Monday (21/4/2025). Lisa was Ronald Tannur's legal counsel while assisting him in avoiding punishment. Meanwhile, Zarof was a former official at the Supreme Court who handled the bribery to free Ronald Tannur from punishment.

The hearing was presided over by Chief Judge Rosihan Juhriah Rangkuti, accompanied by Purwanto S Abdullah and Sigit Herman Binaji as associate judges.

Abdul Latif was an ad hoc judge for corruption crimes at the Supreme Court during the period of 2010-2021. In his testimony, he stated that he knew Zarof Ricar as they both worked at the Supreme Court. Before Abdul Latif retired as an ad hoc judge at the Supreme Court, Zarof Ricar held the position of Head of the Research, Development, Education, and Training Agency for Law and Justice at the Supreme Court.

The public prosecutor inquired about the handling of the case for the judicial review number 151 PK/Pidsus/2021, which was previously managed by Abdul Latif while serving as an ad hoc judge for the Supreme Court. The request for the judicial review was submitted by the legal representatives of the former Mayor of Batu for the 2007-2017 period, Eddy Rumpoko, in 2021.

In the case, Eddy was reported to have received a bribe in the form of money and a luxury 2016 Toyota Alphard car valued at Rp 1.6 billion. Eddy Rumpoko has been found guilty of accepting bribes and was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday, April 27, 2018. This sentence is significantly lighter than the prosecutor's demand from the KPK for the defendant to be sentenced to 8 years in prison.

After filing an appeal, the Supreme Court then sentenced Eddy to 5.5 years in prison in 2020. Subsequently, Eddy Rumpoko's legal team submitted a judicial review to the Supreme Court in 2021.

"To the witness, is it true that the witness is the judge who is involved in the process of examining and deciding the PK case?" asked the prosecutor.

Abdul Latif confirmed the prosecutor's question. He admitted to being an ad hoc judge for corruption cases in the handling of the judicial review of Eddy Rumpoko's case.

The prosecutor again inquired whether Zarof Ricar had ever requested assistance regarding the handling of the review of the case involving the former Mayor of Batu, East Java. Latif admitted that he did not remember the specific details of his meeting with Zarof. The meeting took place at the Supreme Court building complex.

"I can explain, I have forgotten the meeting with Zarof, I do not remember the day, date, or year within the deadline before the PK," replied Latif.

Latif admitted to rejecting the request submitted by Zarof in handling PK Eddy. He said he wanted to study the case first.

"There was a request for assistance regarding PK number 151. What exactly is the request for assistance, PK 151 on behalf of Eddy Rumpoko?" asked the prosecutor.

"Just ask for help. It's unclear. That is why I rejected him on the grounds that I need to read first what the legal facts are and how the law is applied, as well as the reasons for the appeal," replied Latif.

Latif stated that during the meeting and negotiations, Zarof offered a token of appreciation amounting to Rp 1 billion. He admitted to rejecting it and invited Zarof to perform the Zuhur prayer together.

"At that time, it was said that there was no thank you for Rp 1 billion, what was that?" asked the prosecutor.

"Yes, after that meeting it was conveyed, he mentioned that there was a thank you gesture of Rp 1 billion, which I again rejected by inviting him, come let us pray," said Latif.

According to Latif, Zarof only requested assistance without clearly or specifically explaining his request. However, it is clear that he immediately rejected this. He also admitted to outright refusing the offer of 1 billion rupiah.

Yes, after that meeting, it was conveyed that there was a thank you gesture of Rp 1 billion, which I again declined by inviting him to pray together.

Regarding the testimony of Abdul Latif, the defendant Zarof Ricar did not provide a rebuttal. He stated that the witness's explanation was sufficient. Meanwhile, the defendant Lisa Rachmat admitted that she did not know the witness Abdul Latif.