Joko Tjandra Asks To Be Acquitted, The Reason Is That The Prosecutor Cannot Prove Gratification

JAKARTA - The defendant in a case of alleged gratification in the processing of a fatwa at the Supreme Court (MA), Joko Tjandra, asked the panel of judges to pass an acquittal.

Joko Tjandra argued that during the trial the public prosecutor (JPU) could not prove the crime of giving gifts or promises to prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari.

"I ask that the Panel of Judges, Your Honor, refuse the evidence by the public prosecutor by stating that the indictment is not for justice, but for injustice, so that the indictment from the public prosecutor is not legally and convincingly proven," said Joko Tjandra in the trial at Corruption Court, Jakarta, Monday, March 15.

With similar reasons, Joko Tjandra also asked the panel of judges to release him. Because the giving of 500 thousand US dollars to Pinangki Sirna Malasari was not a bribe. But the down payment for consultants and lawyers.

"I appeal to Your Excellency the Panel of Judges who are hearing this case to please release me of all charges and demands of the public prosecutor," he said.

As previously reported, Joko Tjandra said that the money worth 500 thousand United States (US) dollars was not intended as a bribe against Attorney Pinangki Sirna Malasari. The money is said to be a lawyer and consultant fee.

"The purpose and objective of giving USD 500 thousand through Herrijadi Anggakusuma to Andi Irfan Jaya is as an advance payment for consultant fees and lawyer fees," said Joko Tjandra.

The consultant fee is for Pinangki and Andi Irfan Jaya. Meanwhile, the lawyer fee is for Anita Kolopaking.

The advance payment is used as wages for administering the Supreme Court fatwa process. The goal is for Joko Tjandra to be free from his sentence in the Bank Bali cessie case.

"Thus, it is also very clear and obvious that the USD 1 million money is a consultant fee and a lawyer fee which has been partially paid or 50 percent, and the remaining payments when the Fatwa of the Supreme Court is completed," said Joko.

Joko Tjandra was sentenced to prison for four years. In addition, Joko Tjandra was also required to pay a fine of IDR 100 million, a subsidiary of 6 months in prison.

This lawsuit was filed against the bribery case that charged him with dealing with the fatwa of the Supreme Court through the Attorney General's Office.

In this case, Joko Tjandra has given money amounting to 500 thousand United States (US) dollars to prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari through his brother-in-law, Herriyadi Angga Kusuma, and Andi Irfan Jaya.

The money was given as a down payment for plans to administer the law he was facing in the form of a Supreme Court fatwa through the Attorney General's Office.