Chandra verdict handed down today

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 03/13/2009 10:54 AM  |  National

The Corruption Court is scheduled to hand down Friday its verdict of businessman Chandra Antonio Tan's involvement in a corruption case. Chandra is accused of bribing lawmakers overseeing the conversion of a protected forest in Banyuasin, South Sumatra.

Head judge Kresna Menon presided over the final session of the trial, in which the panel of judges read their legal analysis of the case, at the court building in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

Corruption Eradication Commision prosecutors are seeking a four-year sentence for Chandra and a fine of Rp 250 million (US$20,500). If he can not pay the amount, six months will be added to his sentence.

Chandra is on trial for his role in distributing a total of Rp 5 billion in travelers checks to several legislators, including Sarjan Tahir from the Democratic Party and Yusuf Erwin Faishal from the National Awakening Party (PKB), in an attempt to speed up the conversion of protected forest areas in Pantai Air Telang for seaports, in 2006.

The prosecutor said Chandra twice made payments to members of the House of Representatives Commission IV overseeing forestry and agriculture.

In October 2006, he gave Rp 2.5 billion worth of checks to Sarjan, who took Rp 150 million for himself and distributed the rest to his colleagues at the commission, including Hilman Indra from the Star Reform Party (PBR), who received Rp 200 million, Azwar Chesputra from the National Mandate Party (PAN) who received Rp 325 million, Fachri Andi Leluasa from the Golkar party who received Rp 175 million, Suswono from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) who received Rp 170 million and Yusuf Rp who recieved 275 million.

He made the second payment of Rp 2.5 billion in June, 2007 to Yusuf, who kept Rp 500 million and distributed the remainder to Sarjan, Hilman, Azwar Chesputra, Fachri Andi Leluasa and Suswono. (dre)
 

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