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Jakarta Post

Issue of the day: Ex-regent admits taking bribes

Disgraced official: Graft suspect Fuad Amin Imron, a former Bangkalan regent in East Java, appears at Jakarta Corruption Court on March 23 as a witness in Antonio Bambang Djatmiko’s hearing, who is implicated in the same corruption case as Fuad

The Jakarta Post
Mon, March 30, 2015

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Issue of the day: Ex-regent admits taking bribes

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span class="inline inline-center">Disgraced official: Graft suspect Fuad Amin Imron, a former Bangkalan regent in East Java, appears at Jakarta Corruption Court on March 23 as a witness in Antonio Bambang Djatmiko'€™s hearing, who is implicated in the same corruption case as Fuad.  Antara/Reno Esnir

March 24, p4

Testifying at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday, former Bangkalan regent and cleric-turned-politician Fuad Amin said that billions of rupiah he accepted in bribes with regard to his services in approving a gas contract in 2007 were a gift that God had sent to him through other people.

Fuad, who testified as a witness during the trial of graft defendant Antonius Bambang Djatmiko, who is the director of PT Media Karya Sentosa, said that he, representing the Bangkalan administration, had asked for a total of Rp 30 billion (US$2.3 million) in compensation fees and Rp 1.5 billion in monthly payoffs from Media Karya, the company that won the multimillion dollar gas contract in 2007.

In order to facilitate the money passing from Media Karya to Fuad, who is notorious for building his political dynasty in the region, a city-owned company called PD Sumber Daya was established, which later signed a contract with Media Karya to cover up the scheme.


Your comments:


I think the judge should give him a heavier sentence, since he reminded them that he is a descendant of a very influential cleric; therefore, surely, he should have more robust moral values than other people.

Andrew Timon

I wonder if he considers his prosecution by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as a sign of God'€™s displeasure also. Or does he only believe in divine intervention when it is convenient?

Loro Blonyo

An ex-cleric accepting bribes and claiming (probably believing) it was a gift that God sent to him through other people.

This example illustrates very well how religion fails to improve people, being employed more as a conscience-assuager than as a guide to how to behave properly.

Benam

He admits taking bribes but does not regret taking bribes. This astonishing level of endemic corruption is why Indonesia will never be one of the world'€™s top five economies.

Bruce

This highlights a huge gap in religious and moral education.

Important government contracts were handed out based on who could provide the most tempting envelopes, and not who could deliver project completion with the most effective and efficient use of the people'€™s tax money.

This is the brake on Indonesian development. This is what is holding this country back.

Deedee S

I have decided to look at it as entertainment. If the locals let people get away with this sort of statement and even elect them into office and don'€™t really care, why should I lose sleep over it (albeit it still secretly drives me up the wall)?

Kantisini

It'€™s the political parties who select the candidates.

The people only vote for what is put in front of them.  In this case a highly religious former scholar blessed with gifts from God.  

I too get ticked off no end with the constant ignorance.

Willo

The problem is that it is firmly established in the culture of these ruling class elites that corruption is indeed OK.

They just do not see it as wrong. Until the ruling classes are re-educated (brainwashed if necessary) corruption will continue to blossom and flourish just as naturally as night follows day.

Terry

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