Elections organizer goes on trial over fake diploma

Elections organizer goes on trial over fake diploma

M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

An active member of the Depok General Elections Commission (KPU
Depok), who appeared on Tuesday in Cibinong District Court, Bogor
regency, was the first person to stand trial for allegedly
producing false information in order to sit on the commission.

Defendant Muhammad Amin Nurdin, 32, is charged with repeatedly
claiming, falsely, to be a university graduate.

"Although the defendant enrolled at the economics department
of Depok-based Gunadharma University, he was not entitled to
claim he had a degree from the university as he quit before
completing his studies there," prosecutor Endang Suhendar told
the courtroom.

Nurdin is charged with violating Article 55 of Law No. 2/1989
on the national education system by illegally using a university
degree. If found guilty, he could face a maximum penalty of 18
months in jail or a Rp 15 million (US$1,700) fine.

On April 16, 2003, during the screening of commission members,
the defendant said he held an undergraduate diploma in accounting
from the university.

A decree issued by the central KPU says nothing about required
educational background before assuming membership of the
commission's regional chapters.

The decree merely requires, among other things, that a
candidate should be knowledgeable about the political party,
general elections and legislative systems.

In an apparent bid to evade media coverage, the defendant fled
the courtroom before the trial started.

Prosecutors and court guards were baffled by the incident and
embarked on a frenzied search for him.

He returned to the courtroom to stand trial after a delay of
more than an hour.

The court adjourned the trial until Jan. 20 to hear the
defense.