Customs and excise official faces 3.5 years in jail

JAKARTA: Prosecutors have sought a three-and-a-half-year jail term for an official at the Custom and Excise office Agus Sjafiin Pane for taking bribes from several importers to ensure their goods were given special consideration in 2008.

"The defendant should also pay Rp 250 million in fines or serve an additional six months in prison," prosecutor Malino Pranduk said when reading the demand before the Corruption Court on Monday.

The defendant's actions, he said, had reduced the public's faith in government promises to eradicate corruption.

Agus allegedly violated Article 11 of the Corruption Law regarding bribery by receiving Rp 76 million (US$7,200) from Tan Nadim, Rp 3 million from Hilda Suwandi, Rp 22 million from Hernoto Prawiro, Rp 900,000 from M. Agus Suabandi, Rp 12.1 million from Subagyo, Rp 6 million from Muhammad Yusuf and Rp 800,000 from Robby Aritonang. - JP