Trial of Bulog man to continue

JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court ruled on Tuesday to continue with the trial of Sapuan, the man at the center of a Rp 35 billion (US$ 4.1 million) scandal at the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

Judge Lalu Mariyun overruled objections by Sapuan's lawyers, saying they were matters to be proven in subsequent trials.

The former deputy chairman of Bulog is being charged under Article 374 of the Criminal Code on embezzlement.

It is alleged he disbursed Rp 35 billion of money belonging to Yanatera, Bulog's employee foundation, early this year.

The offense carries a maximum jail term of five years.

Sapuan has denied the charges, saying he was acting on President Abdurrahman Wahid's orders to find funds for the government's humanitarian program in Aceh. The money subsequently went to Suwondo, Abdurrahman's masseur who is at large, and a number of other people closely connected with the President.

The scandal has prompted the House of Representatives to launch an inquiry into the possibility that members of the president's inner circle were involved.

Judge Lalu, who is also trying the corruption case against former president Soeharto, adjourned the trial until next Tuesday to hear testimony from Mulyono, Yanatera's chairman who allegedly received Sapuan's order to disburse the funds.

Sapuan's 10-person defense team is being led by Mohammad Assegaf, who is also defending Soeharto. (01)