Surya Darmadi Reads His Defenders At The Jakarta Corruption Court: What's My Fault?

Surya Darmadi arrived in Indonesia from Taiwan on Monday, August 15. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The defendant in the alleged corruption in land conversion in Indragiri Hulu Regency and the crime of money laundering (TPPU), Surya Darmadi, read out his memorandum of defense or plea today, Thursday, February 16. The owner of PT Duta Palma Group questioned what his mistake was. "At the time this case was hit by me, from the start I asked my mistake," said Surya when reading his defense in front of the Jakarta Corruption Court. Surya said his 26-year-old company had never had any problems. All the documents are also clear and none have been declared flawed by the state. Thus, his determination as a suspect even had to carry out the trial, which he considered a dream in broad daylight. "I never imagined that it would happen to my life," he said. "While out there, people know that I am the ruler who has never had problems with the law and the company that I specialize in plantations is one of the best in Indonesia," added Surya. Not only that, Surya also admitted that he was suddenly referred to as a mega-corruptor who cost the state up to Rp. 104 trillion. He did not understand the work of the Attorney General's Office which named him a suspect. In addition, he objected if his company was said to have no permit. This is because PT Banyu Bening Utama, PT Panca Agro Lestari, PT Suberida Subur and PT Palma Satu have been registered in the Decree (SK) of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number 531 dated August 30, 2021. "My question is that if I am considered illegal in doing business on the land, why did the state receive the taxes that I have paid and a permit for the location of the plantation business license and the certificate of business use rights that I have were never declared flawed, let alone declared null and void," said Surya. Meanwhile, Surya Darmadi's attorney, Juniver Girsang, explained that the forest area issue has been explicitly regulated in the Ciptaker Law or Omnibus Law. It is stated that companies that enter forest areas can take care of permits and they will not be subject to criminal sanctions, but only administratively to pay fines. So, the judge was asked to be wise in assessing. Moreover, previously there was a request that Surya not file a pretrial. "The judge is wiser in assessing and stating that this case is indeed inappropriate for criminal proceedings. However, as the elementary school said earlier that the lawyer and the director were forced to withdraw so that what process they meant, the pretrial was not continued. That's what the elementary school conveyed in its defense," said Juniver. Previously, Surya Darmadi was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, February 6. The prosecutor assessed that this businessman was guilty in a corruption case in obtaining a right to use (HGU) permit in Indragiri Hulu, Riau. Furthermore, the prosecutor also demanded a fine of Rp. 1 billion. Surya was also asked to pay compensation of Rp. 4,798,706,951,640 and 7,885,857.36 US dollars and Rp. 73,920,690,300,000 which were included in the calculation of state financial losses. Surya is found guilty of committing acts of corruption and money laundering as regulated in the first charge. The fine must be paid within a month after the verdict has permanent legal force. Otherwise, Surya's property will be confiscated to be auctioned off by the prosecutor and if it is still not enough he can be added a sentence of 10 years in prison.