Elections organizer goes on trial over fake diploma<\/p>\n
M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Bogor<\/p>\n
An active member of the Depok General Elections Commission (KPU
\nDepok), who appeared on Tuesday in Cibinong District Court, Bogor
\nregency, was the first person to stand trial for allegedly
\nproducing false information in order to sit on the commission.<\/p>\n
Defendant Muhammad Amin Nurdin, 32, is charged with repeatedly
\nclaiming, falsely, to be a university graduate.<\/p>\n
"Although the defendant enrolled at the economics department
\nof Depok-based Gunadharma University, he was not entitled to
\nclaim he had a degree from the university as he quit before
\ncompleting his studies there," prosecutor Endang Suhendar told
\nthe courtroom.<\/p>\n
Nurdin is charged with violating Article 55 of Law No. 2\/1989
\non the national education system by illegally using a university
\ndegree. If found guilty, he could face a maximum penalty of 18
\nmonths in jail or a Rp 15 million (US$1,700) fine.<\/p>\n
On April 16, 2003, during the screening of commission members,
\nthe defendant said he held an undergraduate diploma in accounting
\nfrom the university.<\/p>\n
A decree issued by the central KPU says nothing about required
\neducational background before assuming membership of the
\ncommission's regional chapters.<\/p>\n
The decree merely requires, among other things, that a
\ncandidate should be knowledgeable about the political party,
\ngeneral elections and legislative systems.<\/p>\n
In an apparent bid to evade media coverage, the defendant fled
\nthe courtroom before the trial started.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors and court guards were baffled by the incident and
\nembarked on a frenzied search for him.<\/p>\n
He returned to the courtroom to stand trial after a delay of
\nmore than an hour.<\/p>\n
The court adjourned the trial until Jan. 20 to hear the
\ndefense.<\/p>",
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