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KPK demands 20 years for legislator
Fri, 09/26/2008 10:58 AM | National
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has demanded a maximum prison sentence of 20 years for legislator Sarjan Tahir, who is on trial for his involvement in a graft case involving the development of a protected forest area in Pantai Air Telang, Banyuasin Regent, South Sumatra.
"Sarjan, along with Yusuf Erwin Faishal, Hilman Indra, Azwar Chesputra and Fachri Andi Leluasa -- all members of the House of Representatives Commission IV (overseeing forestry, agriculture and fisheries) -- received a total Rp 5 billion (US$531,914) in Bank Mandiri traveler's checks (MTC) and BNI multi purpose (CMG) checks from businessman Chandra Antonio Tan and president director of Tanjung Api Api Seaport management and development body Sofyan Rebuin to expedite an approval for the conversion of a protected forest in Pantai Air Telang," prosecutor Mochammad Rum read aloud from his indictment at the Corruption Court in Jakarta on Thursday.
The prosecutor said Sofyan and Sarjan had met several times in 2006, during which Sofyan had asked for Sarjan's help in accelerating the administration's approval of the forest conversion project in the area.
The local administration planned to develop Tanjung Api Api Seaport on 1,000 hectares of land in the area.
Sofyan told Sarjan at the time that the South Sumatra administration would prepare "gratitude" to accomplish the project.
"In October 2006, Sarjan, Yusuf, Hilman, Azwar and Fachri held a meeting at the House to discuss Sofyan's request," Rum said.
Yusuf, as Commission IV chairman, asked Sarjan to be allowed to represent the commission in negotiations with the South Sumatra administration on the amount of money that would be needed to ensure the project's approval.
The defendant asked for Rp 5 billion, which was approved by Sofyan.
Sofyan then arranged a meeting with then South Sumatra governor Syahrial Oesman and Chandra, director of PT Chandratex Indo Artha.
"In the meeting, Chandra agreed to provide Rp 2.5 billion as the first payment for Sarjan's request," Rum said.
Prior to a meeting between Commission IV and the Forestry Ministry in October 2006, Chandra handed over an envelope consisting of MTCs worth Rp 2.5 billion to Sarjan, Rum added.
Sarjan then distributed the checks to several members of the commission. He pocketed Rp 150 million.
Rum said that in June 2007, Sarjan had contacted Sofyan, Chandra and then South Sumatra regional secretary Musyrif Suwardi to ask for the remaining Rp 2.5 billion.
In June 25, 2007, Sarjan, Yusuf and Hilman met with Chandra, Sofyan and Musyrif at a hotel in Jakarta and handed over the Rp 2.5 billion in MTCs and CMGs.
During the meeting at the hotel, the defendant received Rp 200 million and gave Yusuf Rp 500 million, Hilman Rp 260 million, Azwar Rp 125 million, Fachri Rp 235 million, Suswono Rp 150 million, Sujud Sirajuddin Rp 25 million, Ishartanto Rp 50 million and Imam Syuja' Rp 20 million. --JP/Irawaty Wardany
