Bosses could be jailed for scam

JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor asked the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday to jail two former executives of state-owned construction company PT Hutama Karya for their parts in a Rp 1.5 trillion (US$187,500) corruption scam involving two toll road projects.

Prosecutor Faried Harianto asked the court to sentence Thamrin Tanjung, the company's former project manager, and Tjokorda Raka Sukowati, the firm's former president, to five years in jail and one and a half years in jail, respectively, for their parts in the crime.

"The defendants gave the firm a bad image and damaged public trust in the company. Because of the case, Hutama Karya had to file a bankruptcy petition," Faried said.

He also asked the court to fine Thamrin Rp 30 million and order the defendant to return Rp 9 billion to Hutama Karya.

The court also was asked to seize Thamrin's two Mercedes-Benz sedans, a 23-hectare plot of land in Cileungsi, West Java, several shop-houses in Bekasi and South Jakarta, an apartment on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta, a bank account at American Express Bank, computers, filing cabinets and a bicycle, all which the defendant acquired between May 1994 and last February, the time of the alleged crimes.

Faried said although it was not proven Tjokorda had used state funds, the defendant should be held responsible for the corruption which occurred in the construction of the Tanjung Priok-Jembatan Tiga-Pluit toll road and the southern section of the Pondok Pinang-Jagorawi toll road.

However, the prosecutor said it should be taken into account that the two defendants had helped the country build a number of toll roads, a mitigating fact which could lighten their punishments.

"Tjokorda is the founder of the sosrobahu toll road construction technique, which is known nationally and internationally," he said.

He also said Thamrin had promised to return the Rp 9 billion to Hutama Karya.

He said the defendants were guilty of violating Article 1(a) of Corruption Law 3/1971.

The article carries a maximum penalty of a life sentence or 20 years in jail and a fine of Rp 30 million.

The defendants are not being held in custody.

Presiding judge Rusdi As'ad adjourned the trial for two weeks, at which time he will hear the defendants' pleas. (jun)