Former Social Minister sentenced to over a year in prison for graft in Indonesia

Former Social Minister sentenced to over a year in prison for graft in Indonesia

2011-03-23 05:26:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Former Social Affairs Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah on Tuesday was sentenced to over a year in prison for graft in the procurement of goods for victims of natural disasters in Indonesia.

According to the Jakarta Globe, Bachtiar was sentenced to 20 months in prison and to pay a Rp 50 million ($5,750) fine by the Anti-Corruption Court. Prosecutors demanded a sentence of three in years in prison.

The former minister was found guilty of approving the appointment of companies in the procurement of goods between 2004 and 2008, while he was in office. This illicit procurement cost the state an estimated Rp 33.7 billion ($3.86 million) in losses.

Bachtiar alleged innocence of the offenses and said that Amrun Daulay, the director of social security assistance at the ministry, was the responsible. Furthermore, the defendant claimed that Daulay was not prosecuted for being a member of the ruling Democratic Party. Bachtiar is the former chairman of the advisory board of the United Development Party (PPP).

Several businessmen were suspects in the graft case including Musfar Azis, the owner of Ladang Sutera Indonesia, and Cep Ruhyat, a former director of Dinar Semestal. The two were later appointed as ministry partners for the procurements.

According to prosecutors, Bachtiar directly appointed Ladang Sutera to supply 6,000 sewing machines and Dinar Semestal to provide sarongs for victims of natural disaster; bypassing the tender process.

The defendant was also charged for a third illicit project with Atmadhira Karya, a company owned by the son of veteran attorney Adnan Buyung Nasution, involving the procurement of cattle from Australia in 2004.

Bachtiar's actions resulted in Atmadhira Karya channeling Rp 800 million ($91,740) to Insan Cendikia, a nonprofit foundation owned by Bachtiar, after concealing to the government the actual number of cattle imported.

It is expected that the former minister will appeal the sentence. His attorney requested time before announcing a decision. The charges against Bachtiar carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

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