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)