Bandung judge gets 12 years in prison
The Jakarta Post, Bandung | Headlines | Wed, December 18 2013, 11:05 AM
Setyabudi Tejocahyono: (JP)
The Bandung Corruption Court handed down a 12-year sentence and a Rp 200 million (US$16,494) fine to a judge who was found guilty in a bribery case linked to social aid funds at the Bandung city administration.
The sentence was lighter than that sought by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of 16 years and a Rp 400 million fine.
The defendant, Setyabudi Tejocahyono, as well as the prosecutors, said they would consider filing an appeal.
Presiding judge Nur Hakim and members of the panel of judges, Barita Lumban Gaol and Basari Budhi, said the defendant was proven beyond reasonable doubt to have committed corruption.
The panel of judges deemed the defendant was guilty of violating various articles of Law No. 31/1999, amended to Law No. 20/2001 on corruption eradication.
“If the defendant fails to pay the Rp 200 million fine, he must face another three months in prison,” said Nur Hakim in his verdict, as quoted by tribunnews.com.
The judges pointed to the defendant being a judge and his insensitivity to the government’s efforts to eradicate corruption.
As a member of a law enforcement institution, Setyabudi had failed to set a good example for corruption eradication efforts and had breached the code of ethics of judges.
Mitigating factors were Setyabudi had admitted to the crime and had expressed remorse. He had never been punished before and had been cooperative and polite during court sessions.
After the trial, Setyabudi’s lawyer Joko Sriwidodo said the verdict was tough on his client and he would discuss with Setyabudi whether to file an appeal.
Earlier on Monday, the court slapped a seven year jail term on Toto Hutagalung, a defendant in the bribery case.
The court ordered him to pay Rp 200 million, or face another three months in jail.
Toto, a businessman and head of the mass organization Gasibu Pajajaran, was proven to have bribed Setyabudi in connection with social aid funds disbursed by the Bandung city administration in 2009 and 2010.
The case involved then Bandung mayor Dada Rosada, who has been accused of being a key player in bribing Setyabudi, who was then deputy head of the Bandung Corruption Court.
Setyabudi was leading the trial in the case of the alleged misappropriation of Rp 40 billion from social aid funds.
The case was also linked to former Bandung City secretary Edi Siswadi, Bandung City Asset and Finance Management Agency head Hery Nurhayat and middleman Asep Triana.
In the past, a number of judges have been convicted for accepting bribes.
List of convicted judges
June 26, 2006: Herman Allositandi (South Jakarta District Court)
Four years and six months for extorting money from a witness in a graft trial.
Aug. 2, 2010: Ibrahim (Jakarta Administrative Court )
Six years in prison and a fine of Rp 200 million (US$ 16,494) for accepting Rp 300 million in bribes from a palm oil entrepreneur.
Dec. 9, 2010: Muhtadi Asnun (Tangerang District Court)
Two years in prison for accepting US$40,000 in bribes from Gayus H. Tambunan.
Feb. 28, 2012: Syarifuddin Umar (Central Jakarta District Court)
Four years in prison and Rp 150 million in fines for accepting Rp 250 million in bribes while handling a case.
Jan. 30 2012: Imas Dianasari (Bandung Industrial Relations Court)
Six years in prison for accepting a Rp 200 million bribe.
April 18 2013: Kartini and Heru Kisbandono (Pontianak Corruption Court)
Kartini receives eight years’ imprisonment with a fine of Rp 500 million or an additional five months in jail. Heru’s sentence is increased from six to eight years’ imprisonment.
Dec. 16, 2013: Setyabudi Tejocahyono (Bandung District Court)
Twelve years in prison and a Rp 200 million fine for accepting a bribe.
