Ex-Pematangsiantar mayor tried for graft

Tribunnews.comMedan: Prosecutors are asking for former Pematangsiantar mayor Robert Edison Siahaan to be sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for allegedly misusing official funds.

Robert Edison should also return the money he allegedly swindled, according to the sentence demand read by prosecutors at the Medan District Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Irene Puteri told the panel of judges presiding over the case that the defendant had been proven to have used Rp 7.7 billion (US$854,700) of rehabilitation and social assistance funds for his private interest.

Irene said that during Robert Edison’s term as mayor he cut rehabilitation funds at the Public Works Office by 40 percent, diverting the money to his account and to 14 Pematangsiantar City Council members.

“The money given to the councillors was accounted for under a fictitious contract,” Irene said.

Robert Edison’s lawyer, Cornelius Sitohang, dismissed the prosecution’s statements. “Whatever their demand is, it is baseless. There is no reason to accept it. We will propose our defense statement,” he said.