Candidate busted for mosque campaign

TANGERANG: Tangerang District Court on Monday sentenced legislative candidate Dedy Rus-tandi to six months in prison, and ordered he pay Rp 6 million in fines, for having violated the general election law.

"The defendant is found guilty of violating Article 270 of the *general election* law," presiding judge Arthur Hengawa told the hearing.

The court is currently trying two legislative candidates of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Dedy and Dewi Pertiwi Eka, but it could only pass a verdict in the case of Dedy, because Eka failed to show up.

Dedy, currently a councilor of Tangerang municipal legislature, and Eka were accused of holding a campaign at a mosque in Jengkol village, Kresek district, on Feb. 12.

The law stipulates that schools, university campuses, places of worship and government offices are not to be used for campaign activities.

Dedy said he did not break the law and would file an appeal. - JP