Singaporean tried over fake money

ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

The Surabaya District Court, East Java, started hearing on Tuesday the trial of a Singaporean accused of possessing counterfeit dollars with a total face value of US$3,000.

Prosecutor Hari Utomo accused Rasyid bin Abdul Rahman of violating articles 245 and 378 of the Criminal Code, which carry a maximum jail term of 19 years in total.

"For 80 of U.S dollar banknotes worth US$100 each, which have been found to be fake, the defendant is charged under Article 245 of the Criminal Code," Utomo told the trial.

The article carries a 15-year prison sentence, he added.

Rasyid had also deceived the Hotel Sheraton in Surabaya, said Utomo, and was therefore also being charged with violating Article 378 of the Criminal Code, which carries an additional jail term of four years.

The case was uncovered last July when Rasyid failed to pay his bill at the Sheraton Hotel.

The defendant eventually paid the amount owing to a hotel employee using banknotes amounting to US$3,000. The money was found to be fake.

"The defendant has confessed to the crime as he had yet not received money that was to be sent by his wife," Utomo said.

Rasyid was arrested by Tegalsari Police officers following a report from the Sheraton Hotel's management.

The police examined the suspect's room at the hotel and found more counterfeit banknotes totaling US$5,000.

Rasyid's lawyer Shianny Tetty declined to comment on the charges against her Singaporean client.

The trial was adjourned until Friday.