Democratic Candidates Charged With Election Fraud At Makassar District Court

The defendant SDP (center) saw footage of the video of evidence while distributing money (ANTARA)

The candidate for legislator (Caleg) of the DPR RI from the Democratic Party with the initials SDP was charged with alleged election violations during a trial at the Class I A District Court, Jalan RA Kartini Makassar, South Sulawesi, Monday, March 25.

In the trial of reading the indictment, the Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Makassar District Attorney Muhammad Ifran stated that the defendant's actions were as regulated and threatened with criminal sanctions in Article 523 paragraph (1), in conjunction with Article 280 paragraph (1) letter j of Law No. 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections,

"The defendant is also threatened with criminal charges under Article 521 paragraph (1) of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections," said Irfan as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, March 26.

He explained that the indictment was in accordance with the defendant's actions during campaign activities in the form of face-to-face activities which were carried out interactively outdoors. This is as regulated in Article 31 paragraph (1) of KPU Regulation (PKPU) number 15 of 2023 concerning Election Campaign.

In addition, the defendant's activities were carried out by distributing money to each community amounting to Rp. 50,000 and then taking photos and taking videos together, while ordering witnesses and the public to mention 'appakabajiSapadap' (four good numbers, Sadap).

"This means that (number) four is good, Syarifuddin Daeng Punna (SDP) while raising his hand and showing the number four uses a finger. And that act is prohibited as stipulated in Article 280 paragraph (1) letter j of Law number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections," he explained.

The inaugural trial of reading the indictment of alleged election violations related to the practice of money politics was led by Chief Judge Angeliky Handajani Day and accompanied by two member judges.

The defendant on that occasion was accompanied by seven legal advisors and attended by the reporting party from the Silver Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to provide information regarding the alleged violation.

The defendant SDP in his statement at the trial responded to reports of alleged violations addressed to him that were wrong. Because, there is no concrete evidence related to the invitation to the public to choose him.

"There is something wrong, because they did not see it firsthand. However, the name of the reporter is also normal," said SDP in response when attending the trial.

Previously, the candidate for the Indonesian House of Representatives for the Election I of South Sulawesi (Sulsel) from the Democratic Party, Syarifuddin Daeng Punna alias SaDap, was reported by the Silver NGO for allegedly violating the practice of money politics by distributing money to visitors at Losari Beach during the campaign stage on Saturday, February 3, 2024 night.