Banten Governor tried on corruption charge

Banten Governor tried on corruption charge

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.