Joko Tjandra: I Am An Old Man Who Longs For His Homeland, But Was Deceived

Joko Tjandra (DOC. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The defendant Joko Tjandra said he was a victim in the case of alleged gratification in the processing of a fatwa from the Supreme Court (MA). The reason was that Attorney Pinangki Sirna Malasari took advantage of the longing to return to Indonesia.

This statement was made by Joko Tjandra during the follow-up trial with the agenda of reading the defense note or plea.

"My hope and longing to return to my beloved country of Indonesia have also been used by others to deceive me," said Joko Tjandra during a trial at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Monday, March 15.

In his defense note, Joko Tjandra said that if indeed the panel of judges considered him guilty, he would gladly accept the sentence that was to be handed down.

But Joko Tjandra still hopes that the panel of judges will give an acquittal. The reason is that he is now very old.

"If it is true that I am a criminal, a perpetrator of a criminal act of corruption as charged and demanded by the Public Prosecutor, then punish me," he said.

"But if the noble panel of judges sees with the eyes of my conscience that I am a 70-year-old man who has hopes and longs to return to his homeland, but has become a victim of fraud as I have experienced and felt myself, then set me free," continued Joko Tjandra.

Joko Tjandra also mentioned his last wish in the defense note. He just wants to live in peace with his grandson.

"I am currently 70 years old. There is nothing much I want and dream of in this life other than accompanying my grandchildren," he said.

In the previous trial, the public prosecutor (JPU) charged Joko Tjandra with a prison sentence of four years. In addition, Joko Tjandra was also required to pay a fine of IDR 100 million, a subsidiary of 6 months in prison.

This lawsuit was filed in the bribery case that charged him with dealing with the fatwa of the Supreme Court through the Attorney General's Office.

Joko Tjandra has already given money of 500 thousand United States (US) dollars to prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari through his brother-in-law, Herriyadi Angga Kusuma, and Andi Irfan Jaya.

The money was given as a down payment for plans to administer the law he was facing in the form of a Supreme Court fatwa through the Attorney General's Office.