Two Defendants in East Sumba Pilkada Corruption Case Sentenced to 6 Years, Family Rages
Two defendants in the corruption case concerning the East Sumba Pilkada budget in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), namely Sacarias Lenggu and Sedelti Remi, have been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. The trial took place at the Kupang Corruption Court on Friday (24/4/2026). The proceedings were marked by disorder, with the defendants’ families reacting angrily to the verdict.
Sacarias served as the Commitment Making Official (PPK), while Sedelti was the Treasurer of the East Sumba KPU. Both were found to have been legally and convincingly proven guilty of corruption in the 2024 East Sumba Pilkada budget.
The trial was presided over by Chief Judge I Nyoman Agus Hermawan, along with two other panel members, Raden Haris Prasetyo and Agustina Lamabelawa. The public prosecutors were represented by Bagus Aulia Yusril Imtihan. Each defendant was accompanied by their respective lawyers.
“The defendants have been legally and convincingly proven to have committed the criminal act of corruption as charged by the prosecutors,” stated Chief Judge I Nyoman Agus Hermawan in the courtroom.
Observations indicate that following the verdict, around 17:32 WITA, the families immediately protested and became hysterical at the Kupang Corruption District Court. They also accused the prosecutors of taking bribes without justification.
“Prosecutors talking nonsense, taking money for nothing. May you all be cursed,” shouted a woman wearing a black blouse.
Chaos ensued as Sacarias and Sedelti were being taken to the Class IIB Kupang Detention Centre for detention. The families nearly assaulted several prosecutors escorting the defendants. Even one man, believed to be a prosecutor, was almost beaten by the family.
Additionally, the man’s side bag was forcibly grabbed by the family. Fortunately, several men managed to calm the tension. The families also hurled abusive language at the prosecutors.
“We worked hard until the Pilkada was over, but you put them back in prison,” said one hysterical man.
Sedelti’s lawyer, Haryanto, explained that his client was charged with the alleged misappropriation of the East Sumba Pilkada grant funds for the 2024 fiscal year, amounting to Rp 3.7 billion, leading to a demand of eight years’ imprisonment and ultimately a six-year sentence.
“In principle, we respect the decision,” Haryanto clarified.
Regarding further legal actions, Haryanto stated that they are still consulting with the family to determine the next steps. “We’re still thinking it over because we need to discuss it with the family,” Haryanto concluded.
Previously, the prosecutors had demanded eight years’ imprisonment. They asserted that Sacarias and Sedelti were legally and convincingly guilty of the corruption offence. The two were deemed to have violated Article 603 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP) in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 on the Eradication of Corruption in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the KUHP.
In addition to the eight-year demand, the prosecutors requested that the judges keep Sacarias and Sedelti in detention and impose a fine of Rp 400 million. If the fine is not paid, it would be replaced with three months’ imprisonment.
Furthermore, they were ordered to pay restitution of more than Rp 1.2 billion. If the restitution is not settled within one month after the trial verdict, their assets would be seized and auctioned to cover it.
However, Sedelti has already returned Rp 30 million. This amount is part of the state losses, but with the stipulation that if it is not fully paid within one month after the verdict, their assets would be seized and auctioned to cover the restitution.