JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court has sentenced Romi Herton, the non-active Mayor of Palembang (South Sumatra), to six years in jail, lighter than KPK’s demand of nine years imprisonment.

In addition, panel of judges presided by Muhammad Mukhlis also ordered Romi to pay Rp200 million in fine or serve additional two months jail term.

Panel of judges concluded that Romi and his wife Masyito have proven guilty for bribing Akil Mochtar, former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK), when handling the post-election dispute of Palembang election.

Furthermore, panel of judges also sentenced Masyito to four years in jail. Panel of judges also ordered Masyito to pay Rp200 million in fine or serve additional two months imprisonment.

The case dragging Romi and his wife is a part of the bribery scandals related post-election dispute that implicating Akil Mochtar.

Akil himself has been punished with a life sentence after proven guilty for committing corruption and money laundering acts related to post-election disputes in fifteen regencies. Akil was proven of taking bribes and gifts worth up to Rp57 billion during his term as Constitutional Court Justice. (haryantosuharman@yosefardi.com)