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Defendants say Akil accepted Rp 3b in bribes
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors said in their indictment that defendant Chairun Nisa, a Golkar Party lawmaker, delivered the Rp 3 billion (US$245,000) to the former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar in return for the latterâs services
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orruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors said in their indictment that defendant Chairun Nisa, a Golkar Party lawmaker, delivered the Rp 3 billion (US$245,000) to the former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar in return for the latter's services.
The 'service' in question was the adjudication of regional election disputes at the court.
During the separate trials of Chairun Nisa, Gunung Mas regent elect Hambit Bintih and businessman Cornelis Nalau Antun at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday, prosecutors said that Chairun Nisa, through Cornelis, had delivered the bribes from Hambit ' who is endorsed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) ' to Akil.
'Defendants Hambit and Cornelis, gave the bribe money of Rp 3 billion to defendant Chairun Nisa to be delivered to Akil and another Rp 75 million was given to Chairun Nisa,' prosecutor Ely Kusumastuti said.
The indictment strengthened allegations that Akil had accepted bribes from numerous regional election candidates. The KPK is still completing Akil's dossiers and he has been charged under the corruption and money-laundering laws.
Prosecutors said Hambit had won the election in Gunung Mas regency, Central Kalimantan, in September 2013 as decided by the Gunung Mas general elections commission (KPUD). However, the KPUD's ruling was challenged by losing candidates, Alfridel Jinu-Ude Arnold Pisy and Jaya Samaya Monong-Daldin.
Hambit contacted Chairun Nisa to help him deliver his plea to Akil to reject the appeals by the losing candidates.
'Pak Akil, I need your help for the incumbent candidate in the Gunung Mas election,' prosecutor Pulung Rinandoro read Chairun Nisa's text message to Akil.
Akil replied: 'I am [actually] about to rule a reelection in Gunung Mas. When will he [Hambit] come to meet me?'
The dossiers revealed that Hambit and Akil met on Sept. 20 last year at Akil's official residence on Jl. Widya Chandra III No. 7, South Jakarta, where he told Hambit that Chairun Nisa was the person he should consult with.
On Sept. 23, Akil formed a panel of justices consisting of Maria Farida Indrati and Anwar Usman to hear the Gunung Mas election dispute at the court.
On Sept. 26, Chairun Nisa met Hambit and Cornelis at the Borobudur Hotel, Central Jakarta, where she informed them that Akil had demanded the US dollar equivalent of Rp 3 billion for his service.
Prosecutors said Hambit told Cornelis to prepare the money for Akil, which would be delivered through Chairun Nisa.
On Oct. 2, Chairun Nisa and Cornelis arrived at Akil's house to hand over the money. While waiting for Akil to answer the door, KPK investigators swooped in and caught them ' and Akil ' red-handed.
If found guilty, Hambit and Cornelis face 15 years behind bars and Chairun Nisa faces 20 year sentence.
Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi, commenting on the trial, said that he would suspend Hambit due to his status as a defendant.
The KPK continues to investigate Akil's money-laundering activities by questioning a number of regents and mayors regarding allegations that Akil received illicit funds from regional candidates during his tenure.
The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) revealed that suspicious transactions in Akil's bank accounts totaled Rp 100 billion.
