Ex-Mahkamah Agung Secretary Nurhadi After Sentencing: We'll See Who Gets the Curse
Former Supreme Court (MA) Secretary Nurhadi has been sentenced to five years in prison in a gratuities and money laundering case. Nurhadi alluded to retribution following the sentencing hearing.
“Well, we’ll see then, just watch. Whoever it is, the curse will hit whoever,” Nurhadi said after the sentencing at the Jakarta Central Corruption Court, Wednesday (1/4/2026).
Nurhadi’s lawyer, Maqdir Ismail, questioned the considerations of the verdict. Maqdir stated that they would file an appeal.
“We’ve already discussed it; we will appeal. However you look at it, a verdict like this not only defies logic but wounds our conscience and justice,” Maqdir Ismail said after the hearing.
He said Nurhadi did not receive money as alleged in the indictment. He claimed the panel of judges directly believed the indictment.
“They never gave money to Mr Nurhadi. But it was taken as truth because it matched the prosecution’s charges and demands. Meanwhile, the trial facts were not like that, which is why I say this verdict is highly manipulative,” he said.
Previously, Nurhadi had alluded to retribution during the trial. He claimed to be prepared to be cursed.
“Hopefully, at least it becomes a special note because it’s from the Al-Qur’an. Whoever lies, well, just wait for the consequences. The curse is certain. I’m even prepared to be cursed if I lie. The key is there—is anyone brave enough for mubahalah? I’m ready to accept that curse,” Nurhadi said when asked if he hoped the panel of judges would consider his plea at the Jakarta Central Corruption Court, Friday (27/3).
Most recently, Nurhadi was sentenced to five years in prison. The judges stated that Nurhadi was proven guilty of receiving gratuities and committing money laundering.
“Therefore, imposing a prison sentence on the Defendant of five years,” said the chief judge Fajar Kusuma Aji while reading the verdict at the Jakarta Central Corruption Court, Wednesday (1/4).
The judges also fined Nurhadi Rp500 million. If the fine is not paid, it will be replaced with 140 days’ imprisonment.
The judges further ordered Nurhadi to pay restitution of Rp137,159,183,940 (137 billion). The judges said Nurhadi’s assets could be confiscated and auctioned to pay the restitution. However, if insufficient, it will be replaced with three years’ imprisonment.
The judges stated that Nurhadi was guilty of violating Article 12B in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Law in conjunction with Article 65 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code and Article 3 of Law No. 8 of 2010 on the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering Offences in conjunction with Article 65 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.