No smiling matter: Former Bandung mayor Dada Rosada grins at a trial centering on the alleged bribery of judge Setyabudi Tejocahyono at the Bandung Corruption Court in Bandung, West Java, on Thursday
span class="inline inline-none">
Former Bandung mayor Dada Rosada faced multiple charges at his first hearing at the Bandung Corruption Court in West Java for allegedly masterminding a bribe that was accepted by former Bandung District Court deputy chairman Setyabudi Tejocahyono on Thursday.
Prosecutor Riyono said that Dada had allegedly bribed Setyabudi, who was overseeing the trial in the case of the alleged misappropriation of Rp 40 billion (US$3.3 million) from the 2009/2010 social aid funds at the Bandung city administration.
The case was also linked to seven Bandung city administration officials, including former Bandung City secretary Edi Siswadi, Bandung City Asset and Finance Management Agency head Herry Nurhayat.
Setyabudi gave each of the defendants one-year prison terms, while the sentences sought by prosecutors had been between three to four years.
'It [the bribery] was aimed at influencing the judge's [Setyabudi] decision and to release the seven defendants in the case of social aid funds,' said prosecutor Riyono on Thursday.
Dada, said Riyono, had violated various articles of Law No. 31/1999, amended to Law No. 20/2001 on corruption eradication and articles of the Criminal Code (KUHP).
'To sum up, the defendant might face a maximum of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp 750 million,' he added.
In the hearing, Dada, who was represented by his lawyer Abidin, demanded presiding judge Nur Hakim to let him carry out a health check.
Abidin said that Dada recently underwent hip surgery. Dada also asked the court to take into account his role as justice collaborator in the case, meaning that he might deserve special treatment and reduced punishment.
Abidin said that his client would reveal the real key player, someone who had never been questioned in the case.
'Pak Dada is ready to say what he has seen, heard, gone through as a witness. He will reveal the truth whether there are still other suspects,' Abidin, declining to disclose the names.
'You will find out in the upcoming hearings,' he added.
Meanwhile, Edi Siswadi also stood trial on Thursday and was charged with similar articles. Edi allegedly committed joint bribery with Dada.
Earlier, the Bandung Corruption Court slapped a 12-year sentence and a Rp 200 million fine on Setyabudi who was found guilty in the bribery case.
The punishment was lighter than that sought by the prosecutors of 16 years and a Rp 400 million fine.
Other defendants, Herry Nurhayat was also found guilty and got five years' imprisonment and a Rp 200 million fine, while Asep got 1.5 years in prison.
The court also handed down a seven year prison sentence to Toto Hutagalung and ordered him to pay Rp 200 million.
Toto, a businessman and head of mass organization Gasibu Pajajaran, was proven to have bribed Setyabudi in the case.
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) first revealed the bribery case after its investigators arrested Setyabudi for accepting Rp 150 million in bribes.
Setyabudi was apprehended at his office in Bandung with middleman Asep Triana.
KPK investigators confiscated the Rp 150 million wrapped in newspaper and an additional Rp 100 million in Asep's car.
Your thoughts matter - share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.