Prosecutors seek 8-year sentence for former Nias regent

Prosecutors at the Medan Corruption Court are seeking an eight-year prison sentence for former Nias regent Binahati Benedictus Baeha, who stands charge with embezzling regency funds.

“The defendant embezzled some Rp 3.7 billion in natural disaster aid in 2006-2008,” the prosecutor read from the indictment on Wednesday as reported by kompas.com.

The prosecutor went on to say that the defendant used the money for personal interests and distributed it to other people, resulting in state losses.

The prosecutors also demanded the defendant pay RP 250 million in fines, or spend an extra six months in prison, and required him to pay Rp 2.6 billion in compensation.

Binahati proposed that the Coordinating Ministry for People’s Welfare disburse Rp 12.28 in disaster aid, but the ministry only approved Rp 9.48 billion. He reportedly instructed Nias’ head of general affairs division Bazidihu Ziliwu to transfer all the aid money to his personal account at BNI.

Bazidihu then used the money to buy equipment for the Nias administration, reportedly without a tender. He allegedly marked up the price of the equipment, which was said to cause Rp 3.7 billion in state losses.

“The defendant also distributed part of the money to other people, including commission heads and faction heads of the Nias regional council.

Judges adjourned the trial until Wednesday next week.