Extortion Case, Former Central Lombok DKP Official Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison

Former Head of the Capture Fisheries Section at DKP Central Lombok, Monday (20/6/2022). (ANTARA/Dhimas BP)

MATARAM - The Mataram Corruption Court (PN Tipikor) has sentenced a former official of the Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP) of Central Lombok to 4 years in prison for being proven guilty of illegal levies.

Based on the verdict of the Corruption Court of Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Monday, June 20, the defendant was proven to have committed extortion on the issuance of land certificates in the 2020 Healthy Fishermen program in Central Lombok Regency, NTB.

"We hereby sentence the defendant Hazairin to 4 years in prison," said Chief Justice Isrin, reading the verdict for the defendant Hazairin, quoted from Antara.

The defendant Hazairin is the former Head of the Capture Fisheries Section at the Central Lombok Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP).

In addition to imprisonment, the judge also imposed a fine of Rp. 200 million, subsidiary of 2 months in prison.

The judge rendered this decision by stating that Hazairin's actions had violated Article 12e of Law No. 20/2001 on Amendments to Law No. 31/1999 on the Eradication of Corruption.

In consideration, the panel of judges stated that Hazairin in his position as Head of the Capture Fisheries Section was proven to have received a flow of funds in issuing certificates for fishermen.

Because of this, Hazairin was caught abusing his authority and participating in illegal levies (extortion) in issuing certificates.

"From the facts of the trial, it was revealed that the defendant had received a cash flow of up to Rp. 27 million," he said.

However, from the appearance of these figures, the defendant at the time this case was still under investigation by the police had shown good faith. Of the Rp27 million, Rp23 million is known to have been deposited with investigators.

"Therefore, the money that has been returned along with the rest that has not, is ordered to be returned to the program recipients," he said.

The issuance of this land certificate for fishermen is included in the Healthy Fisherman program in 2020. This program is the result of collaboration between the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service and the National Land Agency (BPN).

The purpose of this program is to make it easier for fishermen to get a loan at a bank by making the land certificate as collateral.

In this case, the defendant was caught in the act of arresting the head of Hamlet Awang Asem Sukardi, who is also still undergoing the trial process.

Sukardi was arrested by Central Lombok Resort Police personnel for withdrawing money among land certificate recipients.

The value of the money confiscated from Sukardi's arrest, reached Rp. 6 million. The money has now been returned to the rightful owner.

From the arrest, it was revealed the role of Hazairin, who benefited from the results of Sukardi's actions.