Natalius Pigai On Harvey Moeis' Verdict: Disappointment Is Very Understanding But We Need To Respect Judges' Independence

JAKARTA - Minister of Human Rights (HAM) Natalius Pigai admitted that public disappointment regarding the 6-year and 6-month prison sentences against Harvey Moeis in the corruption case of PT Timah Tbk is very understandable because it is considered not to have fulfilled the sense of justice.

"We have arrested a public disappointment over this decision and it is very understandable because it is considered unreasonable to hurt people's sense of justice, although we also need to respect and respect the independence of judges that we cannot intervene in," said Natalius Pigai as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, December 30.

Pigai admitted that he could understand the nuances of community neutrality who were disappointed with the verdict. After all, he said, the community has the right to a sense of justice.

However, according to Pigai, President Prabowo Subianto on various occasions has conveyed that the value of justice is the most important element in providing satisfaction with legal countermeasures.

"Therefore, the Ministry of Human Rights as part of the government certainly has a spirit of rhythm in presenting a clean and authoritative government. The people have high hopes, the right to justice," said Pigai.

The panel of judges at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Harvey Moeis to 6 years and 6 months in prison for being found guilty of corruption and money laundering (TPPU).

In addition to imprisonment, Harvey Moeis was also sentenced to a fine of Rp. 1 billion, subsidiary to 6 months in prison, as well as additional penalties in the form of payment of replacement money of Rp. 210 billion, subsidiary to 2 years in prison.

The judge's decision was lighter than the demands of the public prosecutor (JPU). Harvey was previously sentenced to 12 years in prison, a fine of Rp. 1 billion, a subsidiary of 1 year in prison, and a replacement money of Rp. 210 billion, subsidiary of 6 years in prison.

The panel of judges considered that the 12-year prison sentence against Harvey Moeis was too heavy. Harvey is considered not to have played a major role in the tin-scattering cooperation relationship between PT Timah Tbk and PT Refined Bangka Tin (RBT) as well as with other tin-scattering entrepreneurs.

The prosecutor also filed an appeal against the decision. The Director of Prosecution at the AGO's Jampidsus, Sutikno, explained that his party filed an appeal because the judge's decision was considered too light.

In this case, Harvey Moeis was charged with joint corruption which resulted in state losses of Rp300 trillion. In the indictment, Harvey is said to have received Rp420 billion along with PT Quantum Skyline Exchange (QSE) Manager Helena Lim.