Three NTB DPRD Gratification Defendants Deny Giving Money to Council Members

Mataram (ANTARA) - Three defendants in a suspected gratification case within the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) denied giving money to several council members during a trial at the Mataram Corruption Court on Wednesday.

Defendant Indra Jaya Usman refuted the testimony of witnesses, who are legislators, claiming they received Rp200 million from him. “I never gave any money,” Indra said when answering questions from public prosecutor Sahdi during the defendant’s examination session.

The prosecutor confirmed the witness statements delivered under oath before the panel of judges regarding the receipt of money from Indra. The prosecutor also questioned Indra’s knowledge of the NTB Governor’s discretionary fund for the Desa Berdaya (Empowered Village) programme. The Democratic Party politician stated he was unaware of the programme.

Defendant Hamdan Kasim also denied giving money to other NTB DPRD members, contrary to witness testimonies. “I never gave any money,” Hamdan said when answering questions from public prosecutor Hendarsyah Yusuf Permana. Hamdan further denied ever meeting the Head of the NTB Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency, Nursalim, to discuss the Desa Berdaya programme. “No. I never held such a meeting. I only held meetings at the council office,” he stated.

Defendant M. Nashib Ikroman, a Perindo Party politician, similarly refuted witness statements claiming they received money from him. “I never gave any money,” he said. The alleged recipients named in the indictment include Wahyu Apriawan Riski (Rp150 million), Rangga Danu Mainaga Aditama (Rp200 million), Hulaimi (Rp150 million), Ruhaiman (Rp150 million), Salman (Rp150 million), and Muliadi (Rp150 million). Nashib also denied meeting Nursalim to discuss the Desa Berdaya programme. “I did meet Nursalim, but it was not related to the Desa Berdaya programme,” he said.

Presiding judge Dewi Santini reconfirmed with the three defendants regarding the witness statements about the gratification payments. “That is not true,” the three defendants answered.