KPK Prosecutors Consider Appeals To Sentences Of 10 Years In Prison Former Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah

Former Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah after undergoing a verdict reading trial at the Bengkulu Corruption Court, Wednesday (28/8/2025). (ANTARA/Anggi Mayasari)

JAKARTA - The Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is currently considering whether to appeal or not after reading the verdict of former Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah regarding gratification and extortion cases.

"The demand has been investigated by the judge and we feel that what we have done so far is correct. We think first because and considerations as well," said KPK RI prosecutor Richard Marpaung at the Bengkulu Corruption District Court (Tipikor), Wednesday, confiscated by Antara.

This is because his party will first report to the leadership at the central KPK regarding what attitude will be taken next.

In addition, related to the Head of Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) within the Bengkulu Provincial Government (Pemprov) who became the winning team for former Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah in the 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) was a victim of a series of extortions.

"The heads of agencies who became the winning team of former Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah have been proven that it includes extortion and becomes a victim," he said.

On the other hand, Rohidin Mersyah will consider whether to appeal or not regarding the verdict given by the Bengkulu Corruption Court judges.

In addition, he considered his status as a candidate for governor who was protected by an election law, and when Rohidin was examined by the KPK as a candidate for governor.

"At that time there was a joint decision with the Supreme Court, the National Police Chief, the Attorney General's Office and the KPK that people who were in the candidacy should not be arrested or examined. But instead I was detained, suspected, the goal was that no other party would ride and take advantage of the opportunity and this was proven when I was declared a prisoner at that time and there was an announcement from the KPU submitted at all polling stations and it has been proven from the Honorary Council of Election Organizers (DKPP) that it was a violation," explained Rohidin.

It is known that the panel of judges at the Bengkulu Corruption District Court (Tipikor) sentenced former Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah to 10 years in prison with a fine of IDR 700 million, subsidiary to six months in prison for gratification and extortion cases.

Rohidin Mersyah was also sentenced to additional penalties in the form of replacement money to the state amounting to Rp39.6 billion, US$72.15 and S$349 and if he was unable to pay, his property would be confiscated or replaced with a three-year prison sentence and his political rights revoked for two years after serving his main sentence.

"Declaring that the defendant Rohidin Mersyah is legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption as stated in the indictment and sentenced him to 10 years in prison," said Chief Justice of the Bengkulu District Court, Paisol.

The evidence confiscated by the KPK prosecutor to be auctioned off in an effort to recover state losses incurred and confiscated for the state, as well as a sentence minus the detention period that has been carried out since November 2024.