Former RI envoy for Singapore on trial for graft

Former Indonesian ambassador to Singapore and a former embassy treasurer were charged with multiple indictments at the Corruption Court on Wednesday, which carries a maximum life sentence.

Slamet Hidayat, who held his post from 2003 to 2006, was accused of violating the 1999 Corruption Law by committing self-enrichment.

He is accused of misappropriating S$280,000 (US$197,626) in a renovation project for the Indonesian Embassy residential compound.

Slamet's accomplice, former embassy treasurer and administration division head, Erizal, was also indicted with similar charges. He was accused of having embezzled S$120,000.

The state has incurred Rp 8.4 billion in loses because of the crimes, Tempointeraktif.com reported.

Slamet and Erizal are also faced with a charge of bribing former Foreign Ministry Secretary General Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat, who now serves as the Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, with US$200,000 in gifts.

The trial, presided by Judge Masrudin Chaniago, will resume next week with witness testimonies. (amr)