Judge Says Rafael Alun's Wife Doesn't Deserve Legal Process

Former officials of the Directorate General of Taxes at the Ministry of Finance Rafael Alun Trisambodo/ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya)

JAKARTA - The panel of judges at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court said that Rafael Alun Trisambodo's wife, Ernie Meike Torondek, did not deserve legal accountability regarding the receipt of gratuities by her husband.

"With this situation, it is inappropriate for Ernie Meike to be declared jointly with the defendant to be legally responsible," said Member Judge Eko Ariyanto during a trial reading the verdict at the Central Jakarta District Court, Jakarta, Monday, January 8.

The judge explained that the name Ernie Meike Torondek was indeed listed as a shareholder and as the main commissioner of PT Artha Mega Ekadhana (PT Frame). However, the company's controller is Rafael Alun because he actively leads the shareholder meeting and makes decisions.

According to the testimony of witness Ujeng Arsatoko, President Director of PT Arme, and Rani Anindita Trenggani, Director of Finance, all explained that Ernie Meike Torondek had never attended the meeting of shareholders or the company's management meeting; who always actively chaires the shareholder meeting and makes decisions is the defendant," said Eko.

In addition, the panel of judges also considered Ernie's statement at the trial that in the household, Ernie only followed what Rafael wanted. Therefore, the panel of judges considered Ernie to be in a weak position.

"It seems that Ernie Meike is in a weak position in her household and in matters of her family's business; and the defendant is superior or superior to his wife, so that everything that the defendant wants to decide is not denied by Ernie Meike," added Eko.

In this case, the Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) charged Rafael Alun together with his wife, Ernie, with a nominal value of Rp. 16.6 billion. The prosecutor charged that the gratuity was received through PT Frame, PT Cubes Consulting, PT Cahaya Kalbar, and PT Krisna Bali International Cargo.

"The defendant together with Ernie Meike Torondek gradually from May 15, 2002 to March 2013, received gratuities in the form of money, a total of Rp. 16,644,806,137," said KPK prosecutor Wawan Yunarwanto at the Corruption Court. Central Jakarta District Court (PN), Jakarta, Wednesday (30/8/2023).

Regarding the gratuity, the panel of judges stated that the only proven acceptance was through PT Arme, while not in other companies. The nominal gratuities received through PT Arme, said the judge, amounted to Rp10,079,555,519.

"The defendant is real and legally active at PT. Arme only in 2006, the marketing fee that can be accounted for to the defendant is only until 2006, with a total of Rp. 10,079,055,519," said the judge, quoted by Antara.

Rafael Alun Trisambodo was sentenced to 14 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 500 million, subsidiary to 3 months in prison. He was also sentenced to an additional penalty of Rp. 10.079 billion in compensation in the period of one month after a final legal decision, a subsidiary of 3 years in prison.

According to the panel of judges, Rafael Alun was legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption and money laundering, as stated in the first, second, and third indictments of the KPK prosecutor. Thus, Rafael was declared to have violated all the articles charged.