Trial of deputy governor begins

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Makassar District Court commenced on Wednesday the trial of deputy South Sulawesi governor Masnawi on corruption charges.

Prosecutor Daud Kinu accused Masnawi of having violated Article 1 of the anti-corruption Law No. 3/1971 on enriching oneself at state expense. The Article carries a maximum punishment of life sentence.

Kinu said Masnawi, who was head of the Provincial Development Planning Agency between 1996 and 1998, had unlawfully exchanged nine hectares of land in Benteng Somba Opu subdistrict of Gowa regency with the provincial Tourism and Training Center campus.

Kinu said the defendant, who claimed to have acted on behalf of the governor, had caused the state Rp 1.6 billion in losses.

"Pak Masnawi may face a life sentence since the alleged corruption he committed caused immense financial losses to the state," Kinu told The Jakarta Post after the hearing, presided over by judge Ismed Ilahode.

Coordinator of the defendant's team of lawyers, Faisal Dachlan, said the lawyers had yet to submit their defense statement, pending the questioning of some 12 key witnesses.

Among the witnesses are acting governor of the newly established Banten province, Hakamuddin Djamal, who was the provincial regional secretary at the time and incumbent Gowa Regent Yasin Limpo. (27/01)