Banten governor Djoko charged in corruption case<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Serang, Banten<\/p>\n
The corruption trial of Banten Governor Djoko Munandar began at
\nthe Banten District Court on Tuesday, with prosecutors charging
\nhim with misusing some Rp 14 billion of public funds in 2004.<\/p>\n
Despite his corruption trial, however, Djoko Munandar has not
\nbeen suspended from his post.<\/p>\n
Djoko, clad in light brown safari suit, appeared tense during
\nthe two and a half-hour trial, which was tightly guarded by
\nsecurity forces.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors charged that Djoko Munandar was responsible for
\nthe disbursement of some Rp 10.5 billion (US$1.1 million)
\nearmarked to build a housing complex for provincial council
\nmembers and another Rp 3.5 billion for the welfare of Banten
\nprovincial councillors in 2004.<\/p>\n
"However, when councillor members for the 2004-2009 period
\nwere sworn in last October 2004, there was no housing complex,
\nwhile the Rp 3.5 billion had not been accounted for," prosecutor
\nI Gede Sudiatmaja said to the packed court room.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors Sudiatmaja, Dimas Suhardi and Damli Rodelwei took
\nturns reading out the 250-page dossier detailing the charges.<\/p>\n
The governor faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail if
\nfound guilty.<\/p>\n
Responding to the indictment, Djoko expressed optimism that he
\nwould be acquitted from all charges and asserted there was
\nnothing wrong with his decision to disburse the funds to the
\ncouncil.<\/p>\n
"As the executive leader of the province, I have the authority
\nto disburse the budget if the council needs it. I will answer all
\nquestions," he said outside the courtroom on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Djoko said he felt no guilt for his actions in the case that
\ninvolves former provincial council speaker Dharmono K. Lawi and
\nhis two deputies, Mufrodi Muchsin and Muslim Djamaluddin.<\/p>\n
The court last week sentenced the three to four and a-half
\nyear's jail and fined them 200 million each for their role in the
\nsame corruption case.<\/p>\n
"As a good citizen, I will abide by all legal processes and,
\nbesides, I want to educate society, because upholding the law is
\nimportant," he said.<\/p>\n
A team of defense lawyers led by Hendriyoso Diningrat told the
\ncourt that it would prepare the defense's statement for next
\nweek.<\/p>\n
Presiding judge Husni Rizal, who is also head of the Banten
\nDistrict Court, adjourned the trial until next Tuesday to hear
\nthe defendant's response.<\/p>\n
Outside the trial, dozens of people from the United Banten
\nSociety (MBB) staged a rally outside the court.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators carried banners supporting the detention of
\nthree former Banten councillors and calling for Djoko's detention
\nand suspension.<\/p>\n
Dharmono, who is likely to lose his current position as a
\nlegislator at the House of Representatives, along with Mufrodi
\nand Muslim have said they would appeal the verdict to the Banten
\nHigh Court.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/banten-governor-djoko-charged-in-corruption-case-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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