Aceh Prosecutor's Office Files Cassation Regarding Free Sentences For Defendants In Corruption Cases At The Samudera Pasai Monument

The defendant in the alleged corruption crime in the construction of the Samudera Pasai Monument raised both hands after acquittal at the Banda Aceh Corruption Court in Banda Aceh, Tuesday (14/11/2023). ANTARA/M Haris SA

ACEH - The Aceh High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati) stated that the public prosecutor (JPU) for the corruption case in the construction of the Samudera Pasai monument in North Aceh Regency filed an appeal regarding the panel of judges' acquittal. "Against the decision, the Public Prosecutor submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia," said Head of the Legal Information and Public Relations Section of the Aceh Attorney General's Office Ali Rasab Lubis in Banda Aceh, Antara, Thursday, November 16. Previously, the panel of judges at the Banda Aceh Corruption Court acquitted five corruption defendants in the construction of the Samudera Pasai monument in North Aceh Regency. The acquittal was read out by the panel of judges chaired by R Hendral and accompanied by Sadri and R Deddy, each as member judges at the trial at the Banda Aceh Corruption Court. The five defendants are Fathullah Badli, Nurliana, Poniem, T Reza Felda, and T Maimun. The five defendants attended the trial accompanied by a team of legal advisors. Meanwhile, the public prosecutor was present with Muchamad Arifin and friends from the North Aceh District Attorney. "Declaring that the defendants are not legally and convincingly proven guilty as charged by the public prosecutor. Free the defendants from all charges by the public prosecutor," said the Panel of Judges. The panel of judges stated that the facts at the trial did not find anything that proved the defendants had deviated from the construction of the Ocean Pasai monument in North Aceh Regency. The defendants did the work in accordance with their contracts and authorities. There is also no addition or reduction of work payments. Regarding the lack of work volume, it is adjusted to the availability of the budget, said the Panel of Judges. Regarding the total loss of Rp44.77 billion as charged by the public prosecutor, the panel of judges stated that it could not be proven at trial. The expert at the trial stated that he was not competent in determining the total loss. Experts also cannot state whether the monument failed the building or not. The monument cannot be used because it has not been completed. "Until now, there has been no handover of the monument to the North Aceh Regency Government from the central government," said the Panel of Judges. Ali Rasab Lubis said the cassation legal action to the Supreme Court was carried out because the judge's decision was not in accordance with the demands read out at the trial. The prosecutor's demands, namely against the defendants Fathullah Badli, Nurliana, and T Reza Felda each with a sentence of 12 years in prison. As well as defendant T Maimun with a sentence of 16 years in prison and the defendant Poniem with a sentence of 10 years and six months in prison.

"The cassation memorandum file was conveyed by the North Aceh District Attorney's Public Prosecutor through the Banda Aceh Corruption Court in Banda Aceh," said Ali Rasab Lubis.