Prosecutors demand six-year prison sentences for three defendants in DJKA bribery case
Medan (ANTARA) - Prosecutors from the Corruption Eradasting Commission (KPK) have demanded six-year prison sentences for three defendants involved in an alleged bribery case regarding the Medan-Binjai-Aceh railway line construction projects within the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA).
“The prosecution is demanding six years of imprisonment for defendants Muhammad Chusnul, Muhlis Hanggani Capah, and Eddy Kurniawan Winarto,” stated KPK prosecutor Fahmi Idris at the Corruption Court of the Medan District Court, North Sumatra, on Monday.
Fahmi noted that in this case, Chusnul serves as the Commitment Making Officer (PPK) at the Railway Engineering Office (BTP) for the North Sumatra region, while Muhlis serves as the second PPK at the same office. Meanwhile, Eddy Kurniawan, acting as a Commissioner of PT Tri Tirta Permata, has been identified as a project broker or intermediary in the case. In procurement practices, a project broker acts as a link between contractors and project organisers to facilitate the acquisition of specific works.
“Furthermore, defendant Eddy Kurniawan is also faced with a fine of Rp500 million, or a substitute sentence of 140 days in prison,” said Fahmi.
The KPK prosecutors assessed that the defendants’ actions were proven to violate Article 12 letter b in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c and Article 126 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 regarding the Criminal Code.
In their indictment, the KPK prosecutors also requested that the panel of judges order defendant Chusnul to pay restitution of Rp13 billion, taking into account the Rp150 million already deposited into the KPK account. “If, after seizure and auction, the defendant does not possess sufficient assets to cover the restitution, a prison sentence of three years shall be imposed,” Fahmi added.
Additionally, Eddy Kurniawan is required to pay restitution of Rp14.7 billion, having already paid Rp10.9 billion, with a substitute sentence of two years in prison. The prosecutors stated that the aggravating factor in the case is that the defendants’ actions undermine government efforts to achieve a government free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism, and damage public trust in the railway sector.
Mitigating factors included the defendants’ polite behaviour during the trial, their lack of prior criminal records, and their family responsibilities. Following the prosecution’s demands, the panel of judges, chaired by Khamozaro Waruwu, adjourned the trial and scheduled the reading of the defence notes, or plea, for Monday (25/5).