Judge And Witness Positive For COVID-19, Sriwijaya Mosque Corruption Trial Postponed

The trial of the alleged corruption in grant funds for the construction of the Sriwijaya Grand Mosque at the Palembang District Court, South Sumatra was postponed, Monday (21/2/2022). (ANTARA/M Riezko Bima Elko P/22)

PALEMBANG - The trial of the alleged corruption in grant funds for the construction of the Sriwijaya Grand Mosque at the Palembang District Court, South Sumatra was postponed because the judge and witnesses were exposed to COVID-19.

"As you can see for yourself the number of judges in this trial should have been five, but one of our colleagues was exposed to COVID-19 and there was no replacement," said Panel of Judges Yoserizal in the trial reported by Antara, Monday, February 21.

So, said Judge Yoserizal, the panel decided that the trial with the agenda of hearing the witnesses' statements was postponed until Monday, March 7 next.

Meanwhile, the Public Prosecutor's team of the South Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office said that one of the seven witnesses scheduled for the trial was also exposed to COVID-19.

It is known that the seven witnesses were Richard Cahyadi, Zainnal, Isnaini Maddani, Marwah M Diah, Agus Sutikno and M Gantada.

"Our witness, M Gantada, who is scheduled for this trial, is unable to attend because he is positive for COVID-19," said the Public Prosecutor in the courtroom.

Where the four defendants who will undergo the trial are Akhmad Najib, former Assistant 1 for Government and People's Welfare of the South Sumatra Provincial Government Secretariat, Laonma PL Tobing, former head of the South Sumatra Provincial Government BPKAD. South Sumatra Provincial Government BPKAD.

In this case, they are suspected of causing state losses of Rp. 116 billion from a total of Rp. 130 billion in grant funds for the construction of the Sriwijaya Grand Mosque.

The defendants were subject to Article 2 paragraph (1) of Law (UU) number 31 of 1999 concerning the eradication of criminal acts of corruption as amended by Law number 20 of 2001 Juncto Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code Juncto Article 64 paragraph ( 1) Criminal Code.