4G BTS Corruption Case, Edward Hutahaean Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison

President Commissioner of PT Laman Tekno Digital Edward Hutahaean underwent a trial reading the verdict by the Panel of Judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday (4/7/2024). ANTARA/Agatha Olivia Victoria

JAKARTA - President Commissioner of PT Laman Tekno Digital Naek Parulian Wasington Hutahaean alias Edward Hutahaean was sentenced to 5 years in prison in connection with the case of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 4G and supporting infrastructure in BAKTI Kominfo.

"Declaring that the defendant Edward Hutahaean has been legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption as in the third alternative indictment," said Chief Judge Dennie Arsan Fatika in a hearing reading the verdict of the Panel of Judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, July 4.

In addition to imprisonment, the Panel of Judges also imposed a fine of Rp. 125 million on Edward provided that if the fine was not paid, it would be replaced with imprisonment for 6 months.

Edward, said Hakim, was also subject to additional penalties in the form of payment of replacement money to a total of 1 million United States (US) dollars or equivalent to Rp. 15 billion within 1 month after the decision obtained permanent legal force.

If the additional sentence is not paid by Edward within a predetermined period, the Panel of Judges orders the prosecutor to confiscate the defendant's property to be auctioned the equivalent of the replacement money.

"In the event that it is not sufficient to pay the replacement money, he will be sentenced to 2 years in prison," added Hakim.

The verdict is heavier than the previous prosecutor's demands, namely a sentence of 3 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 125 million.

Hakim Dennie explained that the aggravating thing was Edward's sentence compared to the demands, namely because the defendant had enjoyed money from the proceeds of a criminal act of corruption, did not admit and did not regret his actions, did not return the money from the proceeds of a criminal act of corruption, and his actions damaged the image of law enforcement in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, several things that eased the verdict, namely Edward was polite during the trial, had never been convicted, and had family responsibilities.

In that case, Edward was proven to have received USD 1 million in cash related to the case of the 4G BTS case and supporting infrastructure at BAKTI Kominfo.

The money was received from BAKTI Kominfo President Director Anang Achmad Latif through the President Director of PT Mora Telematika Indonesia Galumbang Menak, with the source of money from the Commissioner of PT Solitechmedia Synergy Irwan Hermawan for the management of alleged problems in the provision of 4G BTS and supporting infrastructure at BAKTI Kominfo in 2020-2022.

The management aims to prevent problems from being reported and followed up by the Prosecutor's Office and the Financial Audit Agency (BPK).