Theresia Sufa
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Bogor<\/p>\n
Bogor District Court opened on Tuesday the trial of incumbent
\ndeputy mayor, Mochamad Sahid, who has been accused of embezzling
\nRp 8.85 billion (US$2.09 million) of Bogor council funds in 2002,
\nwhen he was the council's speaker.<\/p>\n
Taking turns reading the indictment, prosecutors Nasran Azis
\nand Bazatulo Telaumbanua told the courtroom that the defendant,
\nwho was the council speaker for the 1999-2004 period and chairman
\nof the council's budget committee, had allegedly abused his
\nauthority to increase his and fellow councillors' take-home pay.<\/p>\n
The prosecutors charged Sahid under Article 2 of Law No.
\n31\/1999 on corruption, which carries penalties of between four
\nyears' and life imprisonment, as well as fines of between Rp 200
\nmillion and Rp 1 billion.<\/p>\n
\"The defendant was aware of the now-defunct government
\nregulation, No. 110\/2000, on the financial status of council
\nmembers but he ignored it while setting the budget for the
\ncouncil in 2002,\" the prosecutor said.<\/p>\n
According to the regulation, a councillor is eligible to
\nreceive honorariums for their attendance and extra allowances in
\ntheir capacities as commission members and councillors.<\/p>\n
In the 2002 budget, the councillors were allocated a total of
\nRp. 8.85 billion for housing, telecommunications, clothing,
\ntransportation and utilities allowances, as well as bonuses and
\nfree health care. Speakers and the heads of commissions were paid
\nhigher salaries and received insurance.<\/p>\n
Presiding judge Sarifudin decided to hold hearings twice a
\nweek in a bid to expedite the trial. \"I feel pity for the
\ndefendant,\" he said.<\/p>\n
After five weeks under city arrest due to health issues, Sahid
\nresumed his stay in Paledang Penitentiary on Nov. 25.<\/p>",
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