Men sentenced to 12 and 10 years for parts in Basuki's murder

JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court sentenced Wahyudi Dasmat and Abdul Mukti Sahib Saturday to 12 and 10 years in jail, respectively, for their roles in the robbery which led to the murder of famous painter Basuki Abdullah.

Presiding Judge Moegihardjo read the verdicts separately in front of the two without their lawyers present.

Wahyudi, 37, the painter's former gardener, said he will think things through before deciding whether to appeal to a higher court, ask for a presidential pardon or accept the sentence.

By law, defendants are given seven days to study their options.

Abdul Mukti, who allegedly provided a room in his employer's house on Jl. Langsat, South Jakarta where the robbery was planned, could not mask his horror at the thought of having to spend the next 10 years in the cooler.

"I want to be released from all charges," said Abdul Mukti, weakly.

Wahyudi and Abdul were both found guilty of violating Article 56 of the Criminal Code regarding accessories to a crime.

Robbery

Basuki Abdullah was found dead on Nov. 5. His death was caused by several blows by rifle butt delivered by Amiruddin, better known as Nanda, after Basuki caught him in the act of robbery.

Nanda was tried separately in the same court and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Wahyudi reportedly had given Nanda a copy of the layout of Basuki's residence on Jl. Keuangan Raya, South Jakarta, and also told him how to gain entry into the two-story house.

The sentences were lighter than demanded by prosecutors Agus Sutoto and Carel Karubun, who had asked for 20 years.

Agus Sutoto believed that Wahyudi deserved his punishment.

"Basuki Abdullah was one of this nation's treasures, someone who honored Indonesia through his art. This national asset, however, met a tragic end because of the defendants' actions," Agus Sutoto said earlier.

Fair

The presiding judge said that the verdicts were fair for those found guilty of accessory to murder.

He added that the sentences were actually reduced from the maximum 15 years usually imposed on people guilty of a such crime. However, Wahyudi's sentence was increased by two years because he had been disloyal to his employer, said Moegihardjo.

Nattaya Nareerat, the Thai widow of the late painter, had earlier testified that she could not believe that her gardener was involved in the whole affair.

She admitted, however, that prior to the murder Wahyudi had complained repeatedly to her about his personal problems. He once even borrowed Rp 300,000 from her to repair her neighbor's fence which he and his friends had damaged.

"At first I didn't lend him the money, but because it dealt with my neighbor I finally relented. I told him that I would deduct the money from his monthly salary," said Nattaya. (03)