Former Perumda Bengkulu director sentenced to six years for corruption

Bengkulu - The Corruption Crimes Court (PN Tipikor) in Bengkulu has sentenced former director of the regional water company Perumda Tirta Hidayah, Samsu Bahari, to six years in prison. He has also been fined Rp200 million (or 80 days’ imprisonment if unpaid) and ordered to repay Rp10.8 billion (or three years’ imprisonment if unpaid) for corruption related to the improper hiring and management of temporary workers at Perumda Tirta Hidayah.

“The defendant has been proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt as charged in the first and second charges,” said Presiding Judge Agus Hamzah of the Bengkulu Corruption Crimes Court on Monday.

Former Water Meter Replacement Sub-section Head and THL (temporary worker) payment broker Eki Hermanto was sentenced to five years in prison, fined Rp200 million (or 80 days’ imprisonment if unpaid), and ordered to repay Rp530 million (or two years’ imprisonment if unpaid).

The three defendants deliberately hired 117 temporary workers improperly and demanded money from witnesses. They also issued official decrees for THL salary payments despite knowing the water company’s financial ratio was insufficient, causing state losses.

Meanwhile, Public Prosecutor Arief Wirawan of the Bengkulu High Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the three defendants’ actions were proven as charged. “All corruption charges have been proven. We reported to our superiors before making a statement,” he said.

The prosecution sought seven years in prison for Yanwar Pribadi, who served as General Affairs Head from April 2022 to July 2024, along with a Rp200 million fine (or 80 days’ imprisonment if unpaid) and repayment of Rp850 million (or three years and six months’ imprisonment if unpaid). It also sought seven years for Eki Hermanto, as Water Meter Replacement Sub-section Head and THL payment broker, with a Rp200 million fine (or 80 days’ imprisonment if unpaid) and repayment of Rp1.18 billion (or three years and six months’ imprisonment if unpaid).

Prosecutor Arief stated that aggravating factors for the defendants included their actions undermining government anti-corruption efforts, hindering regional development, causing harm to others, and failing to admit their wrongdoing. Mitigating factors included the defendants being family breadwinners and their cooperation during the trial.

Calculations revealed that the total gratification received from THL payments amounted to Rp9.5 billion, with potential state losses of Rp5.5 billion.