Suwondo sentenced to 3.5 years in jail over Bulog scandal
Suwondo sentenced to 3.5 years in jail over Bulog scandal
JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta District Court sentenced
former president Abdurrahman Wahid's former masseur Muhammad Alip
Agung Suwondo on Monday to three and a half years in jail for his
role in the Rp 35 billion (US$3.6 million) scandal at the State
Logistics Agency (Bulog).
Presiding Judge Suwardi said Suwondo was guilty of embezzling
the Rp 35 billion fund from Bulog's Yanatera employee foundation.
The verdict was six months heavier than the three-year jail
term demanded by prosecutors.
"The defendant once asked former Bulog deputy chief Sapuan to
disburse the Rp 35 billion fund, saying that Abdurrahman needed
it for humanitarian aid in Aceh," Suwardi told the court.
Sapuan, Suwardi said, believed Suwondo's remarks as the former
president himself had earlier invited him (Sapuan) to the
presidential palace to discus the possibility of using non-
budgetary funds from Bulog for humanitarian aid.
"Sapuan told Abdurrahman during their meeting on Jan. 7, 2000
that Bulog had Rp 300 billion in non-budgetary funds," Suwardi
said, adding that Sapuan had told the former president to issue a
decree should he want the fund's disbursement, but the request
was turned down.
He explained that after the meeting, Suwondo contacted Sapuan
by mobile phone, saying that the former president needed the Rp
35 billion fund for humanitarian aid and that Sapuan "should
provide it without asking for any official decree."
Sapuan later agreed to disburse the money and gave it to
Suwondo in two stages -- the first on Jan. 13, 2000 for Rp 10
billion and the second on Jan. 20, for Rp 25 billion, Suwardi
said.
"Instead of using the money for humanitarian aid, the
defendant kept Rp 10 billion for himself and gave another Rp 20
billion to his relatives and friends, including businesswoman
Siti Farika who received some Rp 5 billion, Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) member Suko Sudarso received
some Rp 15 billion," Suwardi said.
He mentioned Suwondo's conflicting testimonies as one of the
aggravating factors and revealed that Suwondo's illegal act had
shaken the country's political situation.
Earlier in March, South Jakarta District Court had also
sentenced Sapuan to two years in jail for his part in the
scandal.
The scandal billed as "Buloggate", along with another $2
million financial scam known as "Bruneigate", had sparked the
House of Representatives to form a special committee to
investigate the case.
Based on its recommendations, the House of Representatives
(DPR) later issued two memorandums of censure against
Abdurrahman. Ultimately, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
held a Special Session that began on July 21 and removed him from
office on July 23.
The court also ordered the return of evidence relating to the
scandal. Among the Buloggate evidence to be returned to Yanatera
was a Rp 16 billion cheque, Rp 70 million from Suwondo's
associate Siti Farika, a Toyota Land Cruiser, a Mercedes and a
100-hectare plot of land in West Java.
Immediately after the session, Suwondo's lawyer Denny Azlani
Latief refused to allow Suwondo to serve his sentence in Salemba
penitentiary due to ill-health.
"My client is under medical treatment for a heart ailment. I
brought him here from Kramat 128 Hospital in Matraman, Central
Jakarta. For the sake of his human rights, I demand that he be
returned to the hospital," said Denny, who was later involved in
an argument with Salemba penitentiary guards who wanted to take
Suwondo to jail.
Upon noticing the argument, visitors at the court yelled at
Denny and asked him to allow Suwondo be taken to jail. About an
hour later, prosecutor Nulis Sembiring finally executed the
court's verdict after negotiating with Denny.
Denny reminded penitentiary officials to treat Suwondo with
care as he was sick. (tso/07)