Madiun's Ex-Mayor Charged with Gratification and Extortion

Surabaya, East Java – The disgraced Mayor of Madiun, Maidi, was indicted for accepting gratification and committing extortion during the inaugural hearing at the Corruption Court in Surabaya on Thursday. The KPK’s public prosecutor team stated that two indictments were read before the panel of judges led by Chief Judge Ernawati. The first indictment involves the defendant Maidi alongside Rochim Ruhdiyanto concerning the Winongo landfill project, while the second involves Maidi and Thariq Megah. Three defendants were present in the dock: the disgraced mayor, Maidi; the Head of Madiun City’s Public Works and Spatial Planning Department, Thariq Megah; and the Director of CV Sekar Arum, Rochim Ruhdiyanto. In the first indictment, it was revealed that money was received in connection with the licensing process for the Winongo Final Disposal Site, which was received by Rochim and subsequently handed over to Maidi, disguised as Corporate Social Responsibility funds amounting to Rp1.7 billion. This indictment was presented in an alternative form, comprising the extortion article 12(e) of the Corruption Law and/or an indictment under Article 606(2) of the new Criminal Code concerning the Winongo landfill bribery case. The second indictment relates to the acceptance of a gratification or commitment fee from the Public Works Department, arranged by Thariq Megah as the department head to serve the interests of defendant Maidi, worth Rp9 billion. Maidi is charged together with Rochim Ruhdianto under Article 12(e) of the Corruption Law, while for the gratification charge, Maidi and Thariq Megah are charged under Article 12B of the same law. The prosecutors confirmed the charges carry a minimum prison sentence of four years and a maximum of 20 years. Meanwhile, Maidi’s legal counsel team indicated they would file an exception against the indictment.