Defendant In Case Of Illegal Herbal Medicine Sentenced To 10 Months In Prison, Attorney: Should Be Free

SPECIAL DOC

JAKARTA The Makassar District Court (PN) panel of judges sentenced him to 10 months in prison and a fine of Rp. 1 billion with a subsidiary of two months in prison for the defendant in the case of illegal herbal medicine trafficking, Agus Salim.

This verdict is much lighter than the prosecutor's demands, namely five years in prison and a fine of Rp. 1 billion, subsidiary to three months in prison.

The chairman of the Panel of Judges Arif Wicaksono who presided over Agus Salim's trial was legally and convincingly proven to have violated Article 138 paragraph (2) and (3) in conjunction with Article 435 of Law Number 12 of 2023 concerning Health.

Agus Salim's crime related to the production and circulation of pharmaceutical preparations that do not meet safety and quality standards, in this case, the herbal products of RG Raja Glow My Body Slim.

"The defendant's actions have the potential to endanger the community because he distributes products without clear permits. In addition, the defendant has also been convicted in a previous case," said the panel of judges when delivering the verdict at the Makassar lPN, Monday, July 7.

Although the verdict was lighter than the demands, Agus Salim's legal adviser, Yunus Adhi Prabowo, expressed his critical attitude over the decision. According to him, his client should have been released purely from all charges.

"We respect the decision of the panel of judges and appreciate that the verdict is lighter than the prosecutor's demands. However, based on the facts and legal basis that we submitted in the plea, our client should be free by law," said Yunus.

His party together with Agus Salim are still considering filing an appeal. "We stated that we were thinking about it first," he continued.

The General Chairperson of IAI, Noffendri Roestam, also responded to the decision against his cadres. "We respect the ongoing legal process. As a professional organization, we will continue to provide assistance to members in this legal process," said Noffrendi.

In its legal considerations, the panel of judges stated that the three things that incriminate the defendant, namely the products that were circulated, were not guaranteed security, the defendant did not check the marking of the BPOM, nor was the legal track record of the defendant who had been convicted before. The mitigating thing is the defendant's polite attitude during the trial.

This case was recorded with Register Number: 206/PID.SUS/2025/PN MKS. Agus Salim was charged with producing and distributing herbal medicines without quality and safety standards.