After The Antiception Of Corruption Justice, Surya Darmadi Had Asked For 'Directness': I Am Stressed, Chest Is Sweating

Photo-Defendant archive owner of PT Darmex Group/PT Duta Palma, Surya Darmadi (left), discussed with legal counsel/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court rejected the exception submitted by Darmex Group owner Surya Darmadi in the alleged corruption case of the oil palm plantation business without a permit in Riau for the period 2004-2022 and money laundering 2005-2022. "The trial, stating objections or exceptions to the legal advisory team for the defendant Surya Darmadi is unacceptable," said Chief Justice Fazhal Hendri at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor), Antara, Monday, October 3. The judge stated that the public prosecutor's indictment had met the formal and material requirements as regulated in Article 143 paragraph 2 letter a and b of the Criminal Code. "Ordered the public prosecutor to continue the examination of the case on behalf of the defendant Surya Darmadi," added Fazhal. Against the interlocutory decision, Surya Darmadi's legal adviser immediately declared an appeal. "We, the legal advisory team, will file a fight after the same time as the main case," said Surya Darmadi's attorney. During the trial, Surya Darmadi also asked to be transferred to house detention. "I ask the prosecutor, the public prosecutor, be wise, don't destroy my life. I know, if I continue to be isolated, it's a matter of time of my life. So. I beg the honorable panel of judges, if I can, I will be detained at home or in the hospital. If I continue to be isolated, I see my age is short, sir, I am stressed, just waking up and then sweating 2-3 hours, sir, my chest is sweating like a shower," said Surya. "Later, sir, it will be included in the main matter of the case later, this is only a matter of humanity. If we just hold it back, how will it be placed there, maybe he (the public prosecutor) has his own consideration so that you are not united with other prisoners," replied Judge Fazhal. "We beg you once again, Your Majesty, my account is blocked, then the ship, immediately (opened)," said Surya again. "Please, Mr. Surya Darmadi, also understand that in the context of law enforcement there is a forced effort, forced efforts are one way or effort from law enforcement. If for example later in the context of the trial, this case can be proven, it has a permit and nothing is violated there, then the blocking itself will be opened, sir. Just follow this trial process," replied Judge Fazhal. "I beg you, outside five PTs, don't block them, sir, five PTs are blocked," said Surya Darmadi. "Ya nanti, ya permohonan bisa saja bapak memberikan," imbuh hakim Fazhal. The indictment states that Surya Darmadi's actions cost the state finances amounting to Rp. 4,798,706,951,640 and 7,885,857.36 US dollars based on a report from the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) Number PE.03/SR/657/D5/01/2022 dated August 25, 2022 and the state economy of Rp. 73,920,690,300 based on a report from the Institute for Research and Economic and Business Training, Faculty of Economics and Business, Gadjah Mada University on August 24, 2022, bringing the total state losses due to Surya Darmadi's actions to Rp. 78.8 trillion. Surya Darmadi is suspected of committing a criminal act of corruption in the oil palm plantation business without a permit in Riau province for the 2004-2022 period so that he made a profit of Rp. 7,593,068,204,327 and 7,885,857.36 US dollars (approximately Rp. 117.617 billion with an exchange rate of Rp. 14,915) for a total of Rp. 7.71 trillion. For the Rp7.71 trillion gain, Surya Darmadi was then suspected of committing a money laundering crime in the 2010-2022 period in the form of purchasing land, property, providing loans to affiliated parties, financing the construction of factories to buying shares.