North Sumatra Governor stands trial for corruption
Ina Parlina, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 03/14/2011 6:11 PM
North Sumatra Governor Syamsul Arifin was ordered Monday to stand trial on charges of corruption for offenses allegedly committed during his tenure as the head of Langkat regency, North Sumatra, between 2000 and 2007.
In the indictment read out at the Corruption Court, prosecutors for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said Syamsul had abused his power through misuse of the Langkat regency budget.
“He abused his power to benefit himself or other parties,” prosecutor Chatarina Muliana said.
The offense could see him facing a 20-year prison sentence, as stipulated by the 1999 anti-corruption law.
The indictment alleges Syamsul caused state losses worth Rp 98.7 billion (US$1.12 million).
The KPK detained Syamsul in October 2010 after naming him suspect earlier the same year.
