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.