Former Head Of Corruption Defendant For Construction Of The Ocean Pasai Monument Sued 12 Years In Prison

The defendant in the corruption case for the construction of the Samudra Pasai Monument attended the trial at the Banda Aceh Corruption Court, Tuesday (17/10/2023). ANTARA/M Haris SA

BANDA ACEH - The public prosecutor charged the former Head of the Tourism and Culture Transportation Office of North Aceh Regency, Fatullah Badli, a defendant in a corruption crime in the construction of the Samudera Pasai Monument, with a sentence of 12 years in prison.

Prosecutor M Arifin and his friends from the North Aceh District Attorney's Office read out the demands during a trial at the Banda Aceh Corruption Court in Banda Aceh, Tuesday, October 17.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant was believed to be guilty of violating Article 2 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 31 of 1999 which was changed to Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 46 of the Criminal Code.

In addition to a 12-year prison sentence, the prosecutor demanded that the defendant pay a fine of Rp. 750 million, subsidiary to six months in prison and demanded that the defendant pay compensation of Rp. 254 million. If the defendant does not pay the replacement money, then he is sentenced to six years in prison.

The Public Prosecutor said the construction of the Samudera Pasai Monument was financed by the State Budget from 2012 to 2017 with a total budget of IDR 44.77 billion.

Based on the facts of the trial as well as statements from witnesses and experts, the construction of the monument did not meet specifications. As a result, the monument building cannot be used by the community.

"The defendant as the Head of the North Aceh Regency Tourism and Culture Transportation Service who is also the power user of the monument development budget approved the payment of his work. In fact, the construction was carried out not according to specifications," he said as quoted by ANTARA.

According to expert testimony at the trial, said the prosecutor, the monument building could not be utilized due to construction errors. Buildings made from government budgets, but cannot be utilized, are detrimental to state finances.

"The state losses incurred from the corruption crime in the construction of the Samudera Pasai Monument reached Rp44.7 billion. This loss is because the building cannot be used," said the Public Prosecutor.