Three Defendants in DJKA Bribery Case Face Six-Year Prison Sentences
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors 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 seeking a six-year prison sentence for each of the 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 explained that in this case, Chusnul served as the Commitment Making Officer (PPK) at the Railway Engineering Office (BTP) for the North Sumatra Region, while Muhlis served as the second PPK at the same office. Meanwhile, Eddy Kurniawan, acting as a Commissioner of PT Tri Tirta Permata, was 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.
In addition to the prison terms, defendants Chusnul and Muhlis are also facing fines of IDR 300 million each, with a subsidiary of 100 days in prison. Eddy Kurniawan faces a fine of IDN 500 million, with a subsidiary of 140 days in prison.
The KPK prosecutors assessed that the defendants’ actions violated 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 (the Criminal Code).
In their indictment, the KPK prosecutors also requested that the panel of judges order Chusnul to pay restitution of IDR 13 billion, accounting for the IDR 150 million already deposited into the KPK account. If the defendant’s assets are insufficient to cover the restitution after seizure and auction, he faces an additional three-year prison sentence.
Defendant Muhlis is also ordered to pay restitution of IDR 4.4 billion, accounting for a payment of IDR 200 million, with a subsidiary of two years in prison. Eddy Kurniawan is ordered to pay restitution of IDR 14.7 billion, having already paid IDR 10.9 billion, with a subsidiary of two years in prison.
The prosecutors noted that the aggravating factor in this case is that the defendants’ actions undermine government efforts to achieve a clean administration free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism, and damage public trust in the government’s railway sector.