TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
National scene: C. Tapanuli regent stands trial for bribery
JP/Wendra ajistyatamaSuspended Central Tapanuli regent Radja Bonaran Situmeang (see photo below) is standing trial on graft charges that could send him to prison for 15 years
Change Size
JP/Wendra ajistyatama
Suspended Central Tapanuli regent Radja Bonaran Situmeang (see photo below) is standing trial on graft charges that could send him to prison for 15 years.
Bonaran was indicted under Chapter 6 of the 2002 Corruption Law for allegedly giving Rp 1.8 billion (US$138,600) in bribes to former Constitutional Court head Akil Mochtar to sway the verdict in an election dispute in the regency in 2011 that was heard at the court.
'The defendant stands accused of giving Rp 1.8 billion to then Constitutional Court judge Akil Mochtar to reject an appeal against the result of the 2011 Central Tapanuli regional election,' Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutor Sigit Waseso said at the first court hearing on Monday.
The Central Tapanuli regional election took place on March 12, 2011, and was contested by three candidates, including Bonaran. The initial election results declared Bonaran the victor, but the two other candidates, Dina Riana Samosir and Tasrif Tarihoran, protested the result and brought the dispute to the Constitutional Court.
Akil Mochtar, who himself is currently serving a life sentence, was involved in the handling of the case at the Constitutional Court. In response to Bonaran's request, Akil asked for a sum of Rp 3 billion to be transferred, through an intermediary, to his account under the description of 'coal transportation fee'.
