Former Head Of NTB ESDM Suspect Of Sand Mine Corruption Files Pretrial

The photo-former archive of the Head of the NTB ESDM Service Zainal Abidin (left) who is now one of the suspects in the alleged corruption/ANTARA case.

MATARAM - Former Head of the Energy and Mineral Resources Service (ESDM) of West Nusa Tenggara, Zaenal Abidin, who is one of the suspects in the alleged corruption case of an iron sand mine in the Dedalpak Block, East Lombok Regency, NTB, filed a pretrial. Mataram District Court spokesman Kelik Trimargo confirmed the pretrial submission on behalf of applicant Zaenal Abidin. "Yes, we have received (pretrial submission), last Thursday entered," said Kelik in Mataram, Antara, Friday, April 14. Following up on the submission, the court has issued the initial agenda for case number: 4/Pid.Pra/2023/PN Mtr. "The trial (primary agency) is dated May 2, 2023," he said. Zaenal Abidin, who is the former Head of the West Nusa Tenggara Energy and Mineral Resources Service (ESDM), filed a pretrial with the classification of legal cases or whether or not to determine himself as a suspect. As a petitioner, Zaenal Abidin filed a pretrial with the defendant of the NTB High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati). Zaenal Abidin through his attorney, Umaiyah in his previous statement conveyed the reasons for filing this pretrial related to the application of criminal charges Article 2 paragraph (1) Article 2 paragraph (1) and / or Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law no. 20 of 2001. According to Umaiyah, Zaenal Abidin as Head of the NTB ESDM Service is not authorized to issue permits for mining activities. Instead, the authority is absolutely in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. For the regions, it only issues recommendations. Therefore, Umaiyah considers it inappropriate for investigators to apply allegations of criminal articles that regulate the abuse of authority to enrich themselves or other people or a corporation. Regarding the pretrial submission from Zaenal Abidin, the Head of the NTB Prosecutor's Office, Nanang Ibrahim Soleh, responded by conveying that this was the right of the suspect. "Please, that's the right of the suspect," said Nanang.

He also stated that his party would prepare for the needs in facing the pretrial hearing. "Yes, of course, we are preparing to face the pretrial," he said.