Amsal Sitepu Case Raises Questions Over Justice in Creative Industry

TheIndonesia.co - Amsal Christy Sitepu, a videographer from North Sumatra, has come under public scrutiny after being named a defendant in an alleged corruption case involving the mark-up of village budget funds for the production of village profile videos in Karo Regency.

The Director of CV Promiseland faces a sentence of two years’ imprisonment, a fine of Rp50 million, and an order to pay approximately Rp202 million in compensation. However, Amsal has denied the ations.

In a video posted on his Instagram account @amsalsitepu, he was seen in tears after the court hearing, wearing a white shirt, a detention vest, and handcuffs. He insisted that his role was limited to that of a service provider.

“The law in our country is not in a good state. I am just a creative economy worker, a professional videographer. I am accused of marking up a budget. How is it possible for a service provider to do that? I simply submitted my proposal,” he said on Sunday, 29 March 2026.

He added that payments were made only after the work had been completed, making it unlikely for a service provider to manipulate the budget.

“If there had been a mark-up, the proposal would have been rejected and the payment would not have been made,” he said.

According to the Case Tracking Information System (SIPP) of the Medan District Court, Amsal is accused of enriching himself in a project related to the management and development of local village communication networks between 2020 and 2022. He allegedly submitted proposals worth Rp30 million per village to 20 villages across Karo Regency.

Prosecutors argue that his actions caused state financial losses and have therefore demanded imprisonment, a fine, and compensation. If the compensation is not paid, his assets may be seized or replaced with an additional prison sentence.

The verdict hearing is scheduled for 1 April 2026 at the Medan District Court.

The case has also drawn attention from Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives. Its Chair, Habiburokhman, urged the judges to prioritise substantive justice in their ruling.

“Law enforcement must prioritise substantive justice, not merely formal legal certainty,” he said at the parliamentary complex on Monday, 30 March 2026.

He noted that work in the creative economy sector, particularly videography, does not have standardised pricing and should not be judged simplistically.

While reaffirming support for anti-corruption efforts, the commission emphasised that law enforcement should also focus on recovering state losses.

Habiburokhman also warned that the court’s decision could have broader implications for Indonesia’s creative industry, cautioning against overcriminalisation that might hinder creative professionals.