Proven Corruption, Former Samosir Regent Sentenced To 1 Year In Prison

Chairman of the Panel of Judges As'Ad Rahim (central) read out the verdict at the Medan District Court, North Sumatra, Tuesday (19/3/2024). (HO)

The panel of judges at the Medan District Court, North Sumatra sentenced former Samosir Regent Mangindar Simbolon to 1 year in prison in a corruption case in land clearing in Samosir Regency.

"In addition, the defendant Mangindar Simbolon was sentenced to pay a fine of Rp. 50 million on the condition that if he was not paid, he would be replaced with one month in prison," said Chief Justice As'Ad Rahim at the Medan District Court, reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, March 19.

As'Ad Rahim continued that the panel of judges believed that the defendant was proven and guilty of violating Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 paragraph (1) letter b of Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.

After the trial, Arlius Zebua, the defendant's lawyer Mangindar expressed his appreciation for the judge's decision. It's just that his party is still thinking about the decision.

Likewise, the Public Prosecutor of the North Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office, Erick Sahama, is still thinking about the judge's decision.

This decision is lighter than the prosecutor's demand for a four-year fine of Rp. 100 million if the fine is not paid, it will be replaced with four months in prison.

Previously, the North Sumatra Special Criminal Investigation Team detained the former Samosir Regent with the initials MS in connection with the alleged corruption case of land clearing in Samosir Regency which resulted in state losses of around Rp32.74 billion.

Yos said the alleged corruption was carried out when the suspect MS was still the Head of the Toba Samosir Forestry Service from 1999 to 2005, namely based on witness statements, experts, decrees, and evidence of clues.

"From the results of the calculation of state losses based on the results of an audit from the North Sumatra Regional BPKP, there was a state loss of Rp. 32,740,000,000," said Yos.