Prosecutors seek 10 years for businessman in fire engine case

Playing it down?: Major corruption defendant Hengky Samuel Daud shares a light moment with a security guard at the Corruption Court in Jakarta on Thursday. State prosecutors are seeking 10 years’ imprisonment for the businessman for his alleged role in a graft case which cost the state an estimated Rp 97 billion (US$ 10 million) in losses. Antara/Prasetyo Utomo

State prosecutors of the Corruption Court are seeking 10 years’ imprisonment for businessman Hengky Samuel Daud for his alleged roles in the procurement of fire engines causing up to Rp 97 billion (US$ 10 million) in losses.

During a court session on Thursday, the prosecutors charged the defendant with article 2 of the 2002 Law on Corruption.

Prosecutors demanded the defendant pay Rp 200 million in fines or serve an additional six months in prison should he fail to pay. Hengky is also required to pay Rp 97 billion in compensation to the state.

The case began when the defendant worked with the former director of regional autonomy at the Home Ministry, Oentarto Sindung Mawardi, to formulate a memo stipulating the type of the fire engines provided only by Hengky's company, PT Istana Saranaraya.

Because of the memo, several cities and provinces bought the fire engines that cost more than other fire engines on the market.

“We request that the judges find him guilty of corruption,” prosecutor Rudi Margono said in court, as quoted by Antara.

The defendant will present his defence on Jan. 28. (ewd)