Banten governor Djoko charged in corruption case
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Serang, Banten
The corruption trial of Banten Governor Djoko Munandar began at the Banten District Court on Tuesday, with prosecutors charging him with misusing some Rp 14 billion of public funds in 2004.
Despite his corruption trial, however, Djoko Munandar has not been suspended from his post.
Djoko, clad in light brown safari suit, appeared tense during the two and a half-hour trial, which was tightly guarded by security forces.
Prosecutors charged that Djoko Munandar was responsible for the disbursement of some Rp 10.5 billion (US$1.1 million) earmarked to build a housing complex for provincial council members and another Rp 3.5 billion for the welfare of Banten provincial councillors in 2004.
"However, when councillor members for the 2004-2009 period were sworn in last October 2004, there was no housing complex, while the Rp 3.5 billion had not been accounted for," prosecutor I Gede Sudiatmaja said to the packed court room.
Prosecutors Sudiatmaja, Dimas Suhardi and Damli Rodelwei took turns reading out the 250-page dossier detailing the charges.
The governor faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail if found guilty.
Responding to the indictment, Djoko expressed optimism that he would be acquitted from all charges and asserted there was nothing wrong with his decision to disburse the funds to the council.
"As the executive leader of the province, I have the authority to disburse the budget if the council needs it. I will answer all questions," he said outside the courtroom on Tuesday.
Djoko said he felt no guilt for his actions in the case that involves former provincial council speaker Dharmono K. Lawi and his two deputies, Mufrodi Muchsin and Muslim Djamaluddin.
The court last week sentenced the three to four and a-half year's jail and fined them 200 million each for their role in the same corruption case.
"As a good citizen, I will abide by all legal processes and, besides, I want to educate society, because upholding the law is important," he said.
A team of defense lawyers led by Hendriyoso Diningrat told the court that it would prepare the defense's statement for next week.
Presiding judge Husni Rizal, who is also head of the Banten District Court, adjourned the trial until next Tuesday to hear the defendant's response.
Outside the trial, dozens of people from the United Banten Society (MBB) staged a rally outside the court.
The demonstrators carried banners supporting the detention of three former Banten councillors and calling for Djoko's detention and suspension.
Dharmono, who is likely to lose his current position as a legislator at the House of Representatives, along with Mufrodi and Muslim have said they would appeal the verdict to the Banten High Court.