Court hands down fine to early campaigners
M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
In the first trial for election violations at the Central Jakarta District Court, a businessman and his four employees were found guilty, but given light slaps on the wrist, for early campaigning that violated the law on general elections.
The panel of judges ordered PT Citra Bunda director Adi Hartono and his four employees of Hartati, Nunik Wulandari, Sugiharti and Romlah to pay fines of Rp 200,000 (US$23) for the director and Rp 100,000 for each of the employees.
Presiding judge Effendi Murod said in his verdict that the defendants were guilty of violating Article 138 of Law No. 12/2003 on the general elections, by campaigning for the National Awakening Party (PKB) ahead of the official campaign season.
"We found the defendants guilty of distributing the party's flyers, symbols, pictures and other items in support of PKB legislative candidate Abi Susanto before the scheduled campaign time," the verdict said.
Adi, who was not accompanied by legal counsel in the course of the court proceedings, immediately paid the fine ordered against him and his four employees.
"Although I am not satisfied with the ruling, I am willing to pay the fine as I don't want to be involved in this legal issue any longer," he said.
The defendants stated that they did not know about the campaign regulation, but added that a similar verdict should also be handed down to other violators.
In the indictment, prosecutors -- who sought 15 days in jail for the offense -- said that Adi received an order last year from Abi to make 10,000 brochures, 50 banners, 20,000 stickers and 50,000 T-shirts bearing the party's symbol and Abi's face.
After finishing the order, Adi, on his own initiative, told his four employees to distribute the brochures in some churches.
On Dec. 24, the four began giving them to churchgoers at the Jakarta Cathedral. The police saw them and told them to stop. But then the four went to the Batak Protestant church in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta and distributed the brochures there. That is when the police arrested them.
The four told police investigators that they received Rp 10,000 each from their boss for transportation.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) announced March 11 as the starting date for a 21-day campaign period for the 24 parties eligible for the legislative elections.
Article 133 of Law No. 12/2003 stipulates that a trial to hear a violation of the election law must be completed in less than 21 days.