Two Corruption Convicts In Cattle Procurement Sued 8 Years 6 Months In Prison

The defendants were accused of corruption in the procurement of cows at the trial at the Banda Aceh Corruption Court, Monday (23/5/2022). ANTARA/M Haris SA

BANDA ACEH - The Public Prosecutor's Office has sued two partners of the Aceh Livestock Service who were accused of corruption in the procurement of cattle worth Rp. 3.4 billion, each with a sentence of eight years and six months in prison.

The demands were read out by the Public Prosecutor (JPU) Zilzaliana and friends at the Banda Aceh Corruption Court in Banda Aceh, reported by Antara, Monday, May 23.

The trial with the panel of judges was chaired by Nani Sukmawati and accompanied by Sadri and Dedi respectively as member judges. The defendants attended the courtroom accompanied by Zulfan, M Nasir, and Desi Amalia, each as legal advisers.

The two partners, namely the defendant Kuswandi as the Director of CV Menara Company, the company that won the tender for the cattle procurement, and the defendant Surya as the field implementer of CV Menara Company.

In addition to demanding imprisonment, the Public Prosecutor demanded that the two defendants pay a fine of Rp. 300 million each with a subsidiary of six months in prison.

In addition, the public prosecutor demanded that the two defendants pay compensation for state losses of Rp1,236 billion. If the defendant does not pay the replacement money after the verdict has permanent legal force, then the defendant's assets are confiscated to pay for state losses

"The actions of the defendants violated Article 2 Paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 18 paragraph (1) letters a, b, paragraph (2) and (3) of Law Number 31 of 1999 which was changed to Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption. Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code," said the Public Prosecutor

The Public Prosecutor said that the Aceh Government through the Livestock Service Office procured 225 head of cattle with a budget of Rp. 3.4 billion in the 2017 fiscal year.

However, in practice, the procurement of cattle is not in accordance with the work contract. In the contract, the procurement of cattle must come from a nursery that meets the requirements, is healthy, and others.

"In fact, the cattle purchased were not equipped with certification. The cows were purchased not from a nursery according to the work contract. All of this was conveyed by a number of witnesses and experts in the trial," said the prosecutor. IDR 1,236 billion. The state losses are based on calculations by the Aceh Representative Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP).

Before filing a claim, the Public Prosecutor considered mitigating and aggravating factors. The aggravating thing, the actions of the two defendants attracted the attention of the public. The two defendants did not support efforts to eradicate corruption.

"While mitigating matters have never been punished, behaved politely in court, has family responsibilities, and regrets his actions," said the Public Prosecutor.

For these demands, the defendant's legal counsel Zulfan and his friends will file a memorandum of defense. The panel of judges continued the trial on 27 May 2022 with the agenda of hearing the memorandum of defense of the defendant and his legal advisor.