Prosecutors Demand Former Acting Head Of Public Works Pematang Siantar 8.5 Years In Prison

Public Prosecutor of the Pematang Siantar Prosecutor's Office, Symon Sihombing, read out the memorandum of demand at the Medan District Court, North Sumatra, Tuesday (14/8/2023). (ANTARA/M Sahbainy Nasution)

The Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Pematang Siantar District Attorney (Kejari), Medan, North Sumatra, has demanded the former Acting Head of the Public Works (PU) and Spatial Planning Office of Siantar Pematang Jhonson Tambunan for 8.5 years in prison in a corruption case worth Rp2.92 billion.

"The defendant was subject to a fine of Rp. 500 million, subsidiary to six months in prison and was charged a replacement money (UP) of Rp. 450 million. If he could not pay the UP, he would be replaced with four years and three months in prison," said Public Prosecutor Symon Sihombing at the Medan District Court as reported by ANTARA, Monday, August 14.

In addition, Public Prosecutor Symon also demanded that Berman Surya Leonard Simanjuntak alias Berman Simanjuntak, as a provider of goods and services, for eight years and a fine of Rp. 500 million, subsidiary to six months in prison.

"Berman juga dikenakan UP Rp2,47 miliar, jika tidak dapat membayar maka diganti dengan pidana empat tahun kurungan," katanya.

Another defendant, Pramudia Marnek Tua Panjaitan, as the Commitment Making Officer (PPK) was charged with seven years and six months in prison and a fine of Rp. 500 million, subsidiary to six months in prison.

"While the UP on the defendant Pramudia did not exist because it was not proven to enjoy the results of the corruption," he said.

For this action, the three defendants were charged with the primary indictment of Article 2 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 18 paragraph 1 of the Republic of Indonesia Law concerning the Eradication of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.

In the facts of the trial, Symon said the bridge collapsed could not be used again. There was a state financial loss of Rp. 2.9 billion in the 2018 North Sumatra Province Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD).

"Regarding the bridge structure work, after being calculated by experts from USU (North Sumatra University) and BPKP experts, the total state loss reached Rp. 2.9 billion," he said.

Symon said that the aggravating thing for the defendant was that he had been convicted of a corruption case, the defendant's activities made the bridge collapse and could no longer function, there had been no return on state finances, the defendant was convoluted and did not admit to his actions, while the mitigating factors for the defendant were nil.

Meanwhile, the thing that weighed on the defendant Pramudia was the defendant's act of causing the bridge to collapse which resulted in state losses of Rp2.92 billion, complicated, not admitting to his actions, while mitigating matters were never punished.

"While the aggravating thing for the defendant Berman's actions was not to support the government's program in efforts to clean up corruption, collusion and nepotism, aggravating the actions of the defendant the bridge collapsed which resulted in state losses of Rp2,921,411,000, buying and selling, not regretting his actions, while mitigating factors were never punished," said Symon.

After reading the memorandum of demand from the Public Prosecutor, the panel of judges chaired by Dahlan postponed the trial next week with the agenda of a memorandum of defense (pleidoi).