Boss may spend year in prison

JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor has demanded the Central Jakarta District Court sentence the president of state-owned trading company PT Kerta Niaga to one year in jail for allegedly defrauding two private firms of Rp 5 billion (US$500,000).

Prosecutor Oeri Hasan Basri said Monday the defendant, Abdul Djalil Martondang, 50, had swindled PT Sritex and PT Mitra Sarana of Rp 4 billion and Rp 1 billion respectively from February 1993 to June last year.

"The defendant made purchases from the two companies and failed to pay for the goods," Oeri said.

He said Djalil, accompanied by his advisor Cheppy Yusuf and his Russian partner Sergei, visited PT Sritex's factory in Sukohardjo, Central Java.

The defendant told PT Sritex's director, Pramono, that he would buy garments and textiles to export to Russia. Djalil promised Pramono to pay for the goods 90 days later, he said.

He said the defendant, at the same time, bought products worth Rp 1 billion from PT Mitra Sarana with the same conditions of payment.

Oeri charged the defendant under Article 378 of the Criminal Code. The Article carries a maximum punishment of four years in jail.

Presiding judge Soebardy adjourned the trial for 10 days to hear the defendant's plea. (jun)