Prosecutor Cecar Regarding Permata, Gazalba Claims To Get From Gardens In Australie

JAKARTA - The inactive Supreme Court Justice, Gazalba Saleh, argued that he found gemstones in his garden while working in Sidney, Australia. The point is said to be sold in Singapore.

The pretext was conveyed when he was examined as a defendant in the case of gratification and money laundering (TPPU).

"Since when did you get the gemstone, sir?" asked the prosecutor during a trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Monday, August 26.

"When I found it in.., when I worked in Australia," Gazalba replied.

"When you work in Australia you have gemstones?" asked the prosecutor.

"I found Sir," replied Gazalba.

Hearing this statement, the prosecutor questioned Gazalba, especially regarding when the inactive Supreme Court Justice worked in Australia.

"When do you work in Australia, sir?" said the prosecutor.

"It's been a long time, sir, it's around if I'm not mistaken in 1993 sir," replied Gazalba.

Gazalba explained that he had worked in a company engaged in plantations.

"Then, earlier you said you had found gems. Where did you find them at that time?" asked the prosecutor.

"When I worked in the plantation, sir," replied Gazalba.

"Yes, where did you find it?" asked the prosecutor.

"In the garden, sir," replied Gazalba.

Gazalba also said the gem had been sold in Singapore for 75 thousand Singapore dollars. The proceeds from the sale are said to have been loaned to his friend.

"I found the gemstone when I was in Australia in 1993, then after that I returned to Jakarta. Then, I kept it safe after that then I went to Singapore, then in Singapore I sold it and then I was given Singapore dollars and US dollars," Gazalba said.

"You were appointed as Supreme Court Justice, were you not reported to the LHKPN?" asked the prosecutor.

"I will report it later, sir," replied Gazalba.

"Which is the result of the sale of gemstones?" asked the prosecutor.

"That's around 75 thousand Singapore dollars, sir, if I'm not mistaken. I forgot," said Gazalba.

Gazalba stumbled upon a case of alleged corruption in the handling of the case at the Supreme Court (MA). In that case, Gazalba was charged with accepting gratuities and committing a crime of money laundering (TPPU) with a total value of Rp62.89 billion.

The allegation of receipts includes gratuities worth Rp. 650 million and money laundering offenses consisting of 18,000 Singapore dollars (Rp. 216.98 million), Rp. 37 billion, 1.13 million Singapore dollars (Rp. 13.59 billion), 181,100 US dollars (Rp. 2 billion), and Rp. 9.43 billion in the period 2020 2022.

Gratification given to Gazalba is related to the case of the cassation of the Logam Jaya Logistics Business Owner (UD) Jawahirul Fuad who experienced legal problems related to the management of B3 waste without a permit in 2017.

The gratuity money was allegedly received by Gazalba together with lawyer Ahmad Riyadh as a liaison between Jawahirul Fuad and Gazalba in 2022 after the pronouncement of the verdict of the case.

Gazalba received Rp200 million and Riyadh received Rp450 million so that the total gratuity was Rp650 million

Furthermore, the money from the gratuity along with money from other receipts received by Gazalba were used as funds to conduct money laundering offenses, among others, together with the defendant's older brother, Edy Ilham Sholeh, to buy a unit of Toyota New Alphard 2.5 G A / T vehicle worth IDR 1.08 billion in March 2020.

In addition, Gazalba was also charged with disguising house purchase transactions at Citra Grand Cibubur worth IDR 7.71 billion in December 2021 by only reporting purchases of IDR 3.53 billion and breaking payments.