Former Muara Enim Regent Hands Over Rp 2.3 Billion And Rp 200 Million Corruption Compensation To The Palembang Prosecutor's Office

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The Palembang District Attorney's Office (Kejari) has received compensation for state losses of Rp. 2.3 billion and a fine of Rp. 200 million from the former Muara Enim Regent Muzakir Sai Sohar as a convict in the bribery case for giving recommendations for forest conversion.

The money was handed over by a team of attorneys for the convict Muzakir Sai Sohar to the Executing Prosecutor of the Palembang Kejari, in the presence of the Acting (Plt,) Head of the South Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office, Mohammad Naim, in Palembang, Tuesday, March 29.

"The convict Muzakir Sai Sohar has completed his obligations based on the court's decision. We will immediately deposit the money into the regional treasury through the Sumsel Babel Bank," said Head of the Legal Information Section of the South Sumatra Prosecutor's Office, Mohd Radyan in Palembang, Wednesday, March 30, quoted from Antara.

Muzakir is a convict in a corruption case for accepting bribes to recommend the conversion of forest functions, from conversion production forest (HPK) to production forest (HTP), in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra, when he served as Muara Enim Regent for the 2013-2018 period.

The Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the South Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office in his indictment said that Muzakir Sai Sohar, as Muara Enim Regent at the time, was suspected of receiving a bribe of US$400,000 or around Rp. 5.8 billion from PT PMO.

The provision of the money was intended to make Muzakir issue a recommendation to change the HPK area to HTP in Muara Enim Regency to the plantation company.

The panel of judges at the Palembang District Court (PN), chaired by Judge Bongbongan Silaban, after examining several witnesses, experts and evidence in the trial, stated that Muzakir Sai Sohar was legally and convincingly proven guilty of continuing corruption. The trial of the verdict will take place on June 17, 2021.

​Muzakir is subject to Article 12 letter B jo. Article 18 of Law (UU) Number 31 of 1999, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 64 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.

The panel of judges sentenced Muzakir Sai Sohar to eight years in prison, with a fine of Rp. 350 million, and required to pay compensation of Rp. 2.3 billion. Muzakir Sai Sohar, through his legal advisor, filed an appeal against the judges' decision on June 23, 2021.

The appeal application was received on August 19, 2021 with the results of the amendment, which based on the Appeal Decision Letter Number 7/PID.TPK/2021/PT.PLG, Muzakir Sai Sohar was sentenced to eight years in prison with a fine of Rp. 200 million and required to pay compensation of Rp. 200 million. IDR 2.3 billion.

The appeal decision also ordered Muzakir Sai Sohar to remain in detention, namely at the Class 1A Pakjo Palembang detention house.