Former chief of Dolog Jaya tried for rice aid scam
Former chief of Dolog Jaya tried for rice aid scam
JAKARTA (JP): Former head of the Jakarta Logistics Agency
(Dolog Jaya) Ahmad Zawawi, was indicted at the North Jakarta
District Court on Wednesday on corruption charges over the
distribution of imported rice.
Arriving in a detention vehicle, Zawawi who has been detained
at Salemba Penitentiary since March 29, appeared composed. The
retired Army colonel, who wore a dark blue safari shirt and
trousers, entered the courtroom at about 10 a.m.
Prosecutor Syafruddin said in his indictment that the 57-year-
old defendant distributed 1,825 tons of subsidized rice to
unlicensed distributing firms and youth organization Pemuda
Kiara, causing Rp 3.8 billion (US$439,885) in losses.
"The defendant benefited himself, the firms and the youth
organization between July and September last year."
He said the firms were discovered selling the rice -- set
aside for the capital -- in other cities, including Bogor and
Cirebon in West Java and Pontianak in West Kalimantan.
He said the rice was imported by the National Logistics Agency
(Bulog) from China, Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand for market
operations, to help stabilize rice prices at the time.
"Because the rice sales outside Jakarta sparked prices here to
escalate."
According to Syafruddin, the subsidized rice was sold to the
firms at between Rp 1,700 and Rp 2,000 per kilogram. The firms
then sold it to the public at between Rp 2,000 and Rp 2,500 per
kilogram.
He said the firms, which managed to amass huge profits from
the sales of the rice in Pontianak, included CV Alam Makmur, PD
Hari-Hari, PD Daya Makmur, UD Lestari, PD Tunas Inti, CV Arly
Indah and PT Indah Wasih.
Zawawi also received a "gift" of Rp 3 million via his
secretary from H.T.A. Soleman, president of PT Fortuna Sejahtera,
for the sale of 100 tons of rice to the unlicensed firm, he said.
The youth organization received profits of Rp 145 million
after selling 1.8 tons of the rice, he said.
Syafruddin charged Zawawi under Article 1 (b) of Corruption
Law No. 3/1971, which carries a maximum punishment of a life
sentence or 20 years in jail and/or a Rp 30 million fine.
When presiding judge Sartono raised the issues to hand with
the defendant, Zawawi repeatedly said he did not understand the
charge, insisting that the indictment did not reflect his
actions.
"It's not about whether it is true or not. It is just whether
you understand or (do not understand) the indictment," Sartono
said.
Accompanied by four lawyers led by Alamsyah Hanafiah, Zawawi
finally said he understood the charge.
Lawyer Alamsyah said his client had acted according to his
duties as Dolog chief.
"The state suffered nothing, since the subsidized prices,
which were decided by the government, could not be calculated as
state losses."
Alamsyah said the firms which bought rice from Dolog Jaya
could sell it at any location in the country.
He asked the court to free the defendant from the Salemba
Penitentiary and change Zawawi's status to one of city arrest.
Almasyah said a letter, signed by Bulog chief Rahardi Ramelan,
his wife and the lawyers, guaranteed Zawawi would not attempt to
flee the capital or destroy evidence.
"The defendant, who remains an expert staff member to the
Bulog chief, would not escape since his income includes a pension
salary drawn from the Army."
Judge Sartono is considering the lawyers' request. He
adjourned the trial until next week to hear the lawyers' response
statement. (jun)