Regent abused power, court hears

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 06/07/2008 11:24 AM | National

The court trying Pelalawan Regent Tengku Azmun Jaafar on corruption charges heard from more witnesses Friday of the regent's "abuse of power" in issuing forest resource utilization permits.

Tengku Zuhelmi, the former head of the local forestry agency, testified that Azmun had asked him to pass recommendations needed for the issuance of authorization letters to four companies.

Government regulations require recommendations from local forestry agencies and environmental management agencies prior to a regent approving any request for a forest resource utilization permit.

"I received an order from the regent to sign the recommendations. I eventually did so, knowing the companies were linked to him," said Zuhelmi, who is a distant relative of Azmun's.

Prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have charged Azmun with abuse of authority for personal benefit. He is accused of issuing authorization letters to 15 companies for the utilization of more than 120,000 hectares of forest in Pelalawan, Riau, causing Rp 1.2 trillion (US$128 million) in losses to the state.

Azmun issued the letters to the companies between December 2002 and January 2003. Seven of the companies were established by his relatives and acquaintances, and none of them met the criteria necessary for forestry enterprises in terms of financial or technical qualifications.

Prosecutors told the court Azmun had received more than Rp 19 billion from the companies since issuing the letters. Azmun's brother, Tengku Lukman Jaafar, who was involved in establishing some of the companies in 2001, earned more than Rp 8 billion, the indictment says.

A total of Rp 840 million was paid to three Riau Forestry Agency officials who were allegedly involved in approving the procedural letters for the authorization.

PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) general manager, Rosman, who is wanted for questioning, is also implicated in the case.

Rosman was allegedly involved in the takeover of six of the seven companies belonging to Azmun's relatives and cronies by a subsidiary of RAPP, PT Persada Karya Sejati, soon after the letters were issued.

Prosecutors said RAPP gained more than Rp 930 billion from the exploitation of forest resources because of the land it took over.

Presiding Judge Kresna Menon adjourned the trial until next week, when the court will hear from more prosecution witnesses. (dre)

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