Yapen Waropen regent faces verdict for graft today

The Corruption Court will hand down its verdict on Daud Solleman Betawi, chief of Yapen Waropen regency in Papua, for alleged misuse of the regional budget worth Rp 8.8 billion (around US$ 775,000) between 2005 and 2006 on Wednesday.

The court is scheduled to begin its final session at 10 a.m. at the court building in Jakarta.

Prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have demanded the defendant serve 5.5 years in jail and pay Rp 200 million in fines or, should he fail to pay, serve an additional three months in prison.

The KPK have also demanded the defendant return Rp 8. 6 billion to the state in restitution in addition to the Rp 140 million already confiscated from him. Prosecutors demanded that if the defendant cannot return the money, he must serve another three years in jail.

The KPK alleged that the defendant had abused his authority in embezzling land and building and natural resources taxes. The defendant is accused of taking Rp 2.9 billion and distributed Rp 6 billion to third parties.

In his defense, the defendant had said he regretted what he had done, but said that he did not know that it was against the existing regulations. (dre)