Three Defendants Of Corruption MBZ Toll Project Sentenced To 3-4 Years In Prison

A total of three defendants in the alleged corruption case in the construction of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) Japek II Elevated Toll Road, the Cikunir-West Karawang Section, were each sentenced to three years and four years in prison.

The three defendants are referred to, namely the Head of the Auction Committee of PT Jasamarga Jalan Pengang Cikampek (JJC) Yudhi Mahyudin, Operational Director II of PT Bukaka Teknik Utama Tbk. (BUKK) Sofiah Balfas, and bridge expert PT LAPI Ganesatama Consulting, Tony Budianto Sihite.

"The defendants were legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption jointly," said Chief Judge Fahzal Hendri during a trial reading the verdict at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor), reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 30.

However, because Yudhi has a position in the project so that he is considered to have abused his authority, the panel of judges imposed Yudhi's crime based on Article 3 of Law (UU) Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1 of the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, to Sofiah and Tony, the panel of judges imposed a crime in accordance with Article 2 paragraph (1) of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.

In addition to imprisonment, the judge revealed that the three were also subject to a fine of Rp. 250 million, provided that if the fine was not paid, it would be replaced (subsider) with imprisonment for three months.

In the verdict, the judge revealed that there were several aggravating things, namely that the three did not support government programs in the context of organizing a clean and free country from corruption, collusion, and nepotism.

Meanwhile, mitigating things, namely the defendants pleaded guilty and regretted their actions, were polite during the trial, and the results of the toll road work had been used by the community.

Especially Yudhi and Tony, continued Hakim, the second sentence was lightened because it was the backbone of the family and had never been punished.

Meanwhile, Sofiah specifically, one of the mitigating factors considered was because the defendant did not enjoy the money from the corruption crime.

In addition, for Yudhi and Sofiah, another thing that eases the verdict is because both of them are sick. Yudhi experienced kidney disease and during the trial he was allowed to conduct examinations and seek treatment outside the detention center with the escort of prison officers and security officers from the Attorney General's Office.

"Meanwhile Sofiah suffers from auto immunity and requires special and continuous treatment as in her medical records and specialist doctors' statements in front of the trial of the case," added Hakim.

Previously, Yudhi was sentenced to four years in prison, while Sofiah and Tony were sentenced to five years in prison.

The three of them were also demanded to be subject to a fine of Rp. 1 billion each, subsidiary to six months in prison.

As for the alleged corruption case in the construction of the MBZ Toll Road, the three defendants committed corruption together with the President Director of PT Jasamarga Jalan flyover Cikampek (JJC) for the 2016-2020 period Djoko Djjono, who has also been sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of Rp250 million.

As a result of the corruption, the four of them have harmed state finances worth Rp510.08 billion in the alleged corruption case in the construction of the MBZ Toll Road.