PPE COVID Corruption, Former North Sumatra Kadinkes Demanded 20 Years In Prison Plus Replacement Money Of IDR 1.4 Billion

The public prosecutor (JPU) of the North Sumatra Prosecutor's Office has demanded the former Head of the North Sumatra Health Service (Dinkes) Dr. Alwi Mu Tail Hasibuan (58) with a sentence of 20 years in prison for the corruption case in the procurement of COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) in 2020 amounting to Rp24 billion.

"Asking the panel of judges to sentence the defendant Alwi Mu Tail Hasibuan to 20 years in prison," said North Sumatra Attorney General Hendri Edison Sipahutar, at the Corruption Court as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, August 1.

In addition to imprisonment, he continued, the defendant was also required to pay a fine of Rp. 500 million on the condition that if the fine was not paid, it would be replaced with imprisonment for six months.

The prosecutor sentenced the defendant Alwi to pay a replacement money of Rp. 1.4 billion with the condition that if within a month after the case remains legally binding, the defendant's property is confiscated and confiscated for the state.

"If it is not sufficient to cover the state's financial losses, it will be replaced with imprisonment for seven years," said Hendri.

The prosecutor also gave the same charge to the defendant Robby Messa Nura (44), as a partner (separate file), namely a sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 500 million, subsidiary to six months in prison.

However, for the replacement money, the defendant Robby was required to pay more than the defendant Alwi worth Rp. 17 billion, subsidiary to eight years in prison.

The Public Prosecutor stated that the two defendants were deemed proven to have violated Article 2 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 18 paragraph (1), paragraph (2) and paragraph (3) of Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.

This was burdensome for the actions of the two defendants, because they did not support the government's program to eradicate corruption, were not cooperative, and their actions caused state losses of Rp. 24 billion.

"Meanwhile, mitigating factors, the two defendants have never been convicted, and were polite during the trial," said Hendri.

After listening to the prosecutor's demands, Chief Justice M Nazir postponed the trial until next week with the agenda of defense or plea of the two defendants.

"We have postponed the trial and continued on Monday (5/8), with a pledoi agenda of the two defendants and each of their legal advisors," said Nazir.

In the previous indictment, the Public Prosecutor said that this case began in March 2020. At that time, the North Sumatra Health Office procured PPE for COVID-19 with a contract value of Rp39.97 billion.

However, in the preparation of the budget plan (RAB) signed by the defendant Dr. Alwi Mu Tail Hasibuan as Head of the North Sumatra Health Office, it is suspected that it is not in accordance with the provisions due to the high price of the PPE unit or mark up.

Furthermore, the procurement of PPE was given to the defendant Robby Messa Nura with a price offer that was not much different from the RAB.

As a result of the actions of the two defendants, based on the results of the calculation of state losses carried out by the forensic audit team, there was a state loss of Rp. 24 billion.