Circumcision Fund For Bansos Residents Of Mataram, Soni Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison

Defendant of corruption withholding social assistance funds for the family hope program (PKH) for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, in Sumbawa Regency, Soni Kardariadi (photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Soni Kardariadi was sentenced to four years in prison by the Panel of Judges at the Corruption Court at the Mataram District Court, in connection with a corruption case with a cut in social assistance funds for the Hope Family Program (PKH).

Soni Kardariadi, as a companion in the distribution of PKH funds for the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year for Dete and Lape Villages, Lape District, Sumbawa Regency, was considered guilty and convinced of committing a criminal act of corruption.

The chairman of the Panel of Judges, Irlina, accompanied by his members, Abadi and Agung Prasetyo, stated in the verdict that the defendant was found guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption in accordance with the subsidiary charges.

"To declare that the defendant (Soni Kardariadi) was legally and convincingly proven to have violated Article 3 of Indonesian Law Number 20/2001 concerning amendments to Indonesian Law Number 31/1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes," said Irlina while reading out the verdict. Wednesday, October 7.

Apart from imprisonment, the defendant was also subject to a fine of IDR 200 million, a subsidiary of four months in prison. The defendant was also charged to pay compensation for PKH funds that he had misused.

"Paying compensation amounting to Rp637 million. If it cannot be paid, the house and other assets will be confiscated to cover the state's losses. If it cannot be paid, it will be compensated with one year imprisonment," he said.

In the description of the decision, it was stated that the number of PKH recipients in Dete Village was 222 households, while in Lape Village there were 184 heads of families. Each family head received IDR 1.89 million. PKH funds are transferred directly to the beneficiary's account.

However, these funds were not given in full to the recipient. However, the defendant Soni made various deductions ranging from Rp800 thousand.

With the 2017-2018 deduction period, the defendant Soni took money that was not his right. So that based on the results of the calculation of the NTB Representative Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), there was a state loss of up to Rp637 million.

The verdict handed down against Soni was lighter than the charges. The public prosecutor (JPU) previously asked the Panel of Judges to impose a prison sentence of six years and a fine of IDR 200 million, a subsidiary of six months in prison.

The prosecutor also charged the defendant to pay state losses arising from the results of an audit by BPKP Representative NTB with a value of Rp.637 million, a subsidiary of three years in prison.

However, in his decision, one of the judges of the Abadi member issued a dissenting opinion. According to him, the elements in the primary indictment and the prosecutor's subsidiary charges were not legally and convincingly proven.

In his consideration, Abadi said the element of detrimental to the state was not fulfilled. Because, the defendant cut PKH funds after the funds entered the recipient's bank account.

"So the money is not referred to as state money. Because the money is already the right of the recipient. The deduction takes place after the funds enter the recipient's account," said Abadi.

Regarding this verdict, the defendant Soni has not stated his attitude. Within the next seven days after the verdict is read out, the accused will make a decision.

Likewise, prosecutor Reza Safetsila said. It is said that they will still report the results of this trial to K Guru Mataram.

"So we are still thinking about it first. We still have to report to the leadership to determine the next steps," said Reza.