PAD Mega Mall Corruption, Former Mayor of Bengkulu Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

BENGKULU - Former Mayor of Bengkulu Ahmad Kanedi was sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of Rp. 150 million subsider 80 days in prison in a follow-up trial for alleged corruption in the leakage of the Bengkulu City's Mega Mall and Modern Traditional Market (PTM) Local Revenue (PAD).

The Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Bengkulu High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati) assessed that the defendants were proven to have harmed state finances up to Rp. 194 billion. The indictment was read by the Bengkulu High Prosecutor, Wenharnol, at the Bengkulu Corruption Crime Court (Tipikor).

"Based on the description of the facts revealed in court, the prosecution demands the defendants with imprisonment and fines. For one defendant, a substitute money is imposed because he is the main defendant, in addition, the defendants have their own roles," said Wenharnol as reported by ANTAR, A Thursday, February 26.

In the summons, the eight defendants are said to have different roles in the case related to the management of Mega Mall and PTM.

Apart from Ahmad Kanedi, the most severe sentence was imposed on the President Director of PT Tigadi Lestari, Kurniadi Benggawan, namely eight years in prison. The prosecutor also demanded a fine of Rp. 300 million, a subsider of 100 days in prison, and a substitute money of Rp. 47 billion with a subsider of 3 years in prison.

Then from the same company, the Director of PT Tigadi Heriadi Benggawan and Commissioner of PT Tigadi Lestari, Satriadi Benggawan, was sentenced to seven years in prison and a fine of Rp. 200 million subsider 80 days in prison.

Furthermore, the President Director of PT Dwisaha Selaras Abadi, Wahyu Laksono, and the Commissioner of PT Dwisaha Selaras Abadi, Budi Santoso, were each sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of Rp. 200 million subsider 80 days in prison.

Meanwhile, the former official of the ATR/BPN of Bengkulu City, Chandra D Putra, was sentenced to four years in prison and a fine of Rp. 150 million with 70 days of imprisonment.

On the other hand, the defendant's legal advisor from PT Tigadi Lestari, Aditiya Sembada, objected to the demand. He assessed that the calculation of state losses that became the basis for the prosecutor's demand was not appropriate.

"We are very disappointed with the prosecutor's demands on our client. If based on the facts of the trial, the calculation of state losses is defective in procedure," said Aditiya.

According to him, there was no state loss in the case because the assets of Mega Mall and PTM still exist. He also said that the revenue sharing mechanism had not been implemented because it had not entered the specified time.