LNG Corruption Case, Former Pertamina President Director Karen Agustiawan Sentenced To 9 Years In Prison

Karen Agustiawan (center)/PHOTO: Rizky Adytia-VOI

JAKARTA - Former President Director of PT Pertamina, Galaila Karen Kardinah, or known as Karen Agustawan was found guilty in a corruption case in the procurement of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at PT Pertamina Persero. Karen was sentenced to nine years in prison.

"Therefore, the defendant was sentenced to 9 years in prison," said the judge during a trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Monday, June 24.

Not only was the prison sentence, but the panel of judges also sentenced him to a fine of Rp. 500 million. If Karen Agustiawan can't pay it, he will be replaced with imprisonment for three months.

"(Criminal) a fine of Rp. 500 million provided that if the fine is not paid, it will be replaced with imprisonment for 3 months," he said.

The verdict was handed down because Karen Agustiawan's actions were deemed not to support the government's program, which was aggressively eradicating corruption.

"The defendant's actions are detrimental to state finances," said the judge.

Even so, the judge also had mitigating considerations in his decision. One of them, Karen Agustiawan was considered polite in the trial. The defendant also did not get the proceeds of a criminal act of corruption.

"The defendant has family responsibilities and the defendant devoted himself to Pertamina," said the judge

Karen Agustiawan stated that the panel of judges legally committed criminal acts of corruption together and continued as the first alternative indictment violated Article 2 paragraph 1 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption Jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 64 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.