Main Defendant Dies Ahead of Verdict, Tabanan ASN Rice Corruption Trial Continues
The case of alleged corruption in the procurement of rice for Civil Servants (ASN) at Perumda Dharma Santhika in Tabanan is reaching its final moments ahead of the verdict. However, one of the main defendants, former Managing Director of Perumda, I Putu Sugi Darmawan, passed away before the panel of judges could deliver the sentence. Nevertheless, the legal process against the other defendants continues.
I Putu Sugi Darmawan died on Thursday night (26/3/2026) at Prof IGNG Ngoerah Denpasar Hospital after receiving treatment. Based on preliminary information, he suffered complications including a blockage in a brain blood vessel (stroke) and heart problems.
The Public Prosecutor (JPU) from the Tabanan District Prosecutor’s Office, I Gede Hery Yoga Sastrawan, stated that the case is now awaiting the verdict from the panel of judges, scheduled for 2 April 2026.
“The handling of the case is still proceeding, as it is only waiting for the decision from the panel of judges,” he said on Friday (27/3/2026).
However, legally, the process against a deceased defendant cannot continue.
“For the defendant who has passed away, it is certain that it cannot be pursued further,” he emphasised.
The prosecutor’s office is currently coordinating with the hospital and the court regarding administrative completeness.
“We are still conducting intensive communication with the hospital and the court for further administrative completeness, as well as reporting step by step to superiors to obtain guidance,” he added.
Regarding the cause of death, the prosecutor said the information received is still preliminary.
“The information we received indicates a blockage in the blood vessels in the head. However, we do not dare to conclude further because we are still coordinating with the hospital,” he said.
Case Chronology
This case stems from a policy for procuring rice for ASN within the Tabanan Regency Government, carried out through a partnership between Perumda and Perpadi.
In its implementation, the supplied rice is alleged to not meet specifications. Medium-quality rice was reportedly damaged, infested with weevils, and broken, yet treated and sold as premium rice.
This case involves three defendants: I Putu Sugi Darmawan, as Managing Director of Perumda Dharma Santhika from 2017-2021, as the policy maker; I Ketut Sukarta, as Chairman of the Tabanan Perpadi Branch, as the rice supplier partner; and I Wayan Nonok Aryasa, as Retail Business Unit Manager of Perumda, who played a role in the technical implementation of distribution and programme management.
Prosecutors revealed a price discrepancy in the procurement. The total payment for the rice amounted to around Rp18.21 billion, while the real price at the mill level was about Rp16.36 billion. This discrepancy caused a state loss of around Rp1.85 billion.
In previous hearings, all three defendants were demanded prison sentences of four years each, plus fines of Rp200 million subsidiarily one year in prison. Prosecutors assessed that the defendants were proven to have committed corruption offences jointly by abusing authority as per the subsidiary indictment.
Although the main defendant passed away ahead of the verdict, the case construction against the other two defendants continues. The death of I Putu Sugi Darmawan nullifies the legal process against him, but does not eliminate the criminal liability of the others in the case.
The case now awaits the verdict from the panel of judges, which will be the final determinant of the entire legal process in the corruption case of ASN rice procurement at Perumda Dharma Santhika Tabanan.