JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, former President of Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), went on trial Monday (June 24) morning, charged with Corruption Law and Money Laundering Law related to the beef import quota under the Ministry of Agriculture.
The trial was held at the Jakarta Corruption Court, as scheduled, at 9:00 am Jakarta time. The trial was chaired by Gusrizal as presiding judge, accompanied by Purwono Edi Santoso, Nawawi Ponolango, I Made Hendra and Joko Subagyo as members of the panel of judges. The Monday trial would go with agenda to reading the indictment charged to Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq.
Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that the prosecutors team from the Anti-Graft Commission KPK could charge Luthfi with Corruption Law and as well as Money Laundering Law. According to KPK, Luthfi is alleged of violating Article 12a and 12b or Article 5 paragraph 11 of Corruption Law juncto Article 55 paragraph 1 point 1 of Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP). Luthfi is also alleged of violating Article 3 or Article 4 Article 5 of Money Laundering Law juncto Article 55 paragraph 1 point 1 of KUHP.
Luthfi has been named as suspect in the case and detained by KPK since January 30, 2013.
Besides Luthfi, the Jakarta Corruption Court, as scheduled this morning, also kicks off the trial of Ahmad Fathanah, partner in crime of Luthfi, in the same case. Fathanah along with young lady Maharani Suciono, were caught red-handed by KPK at Le Meridien Hotel Jakarta on January 29, 2013. Along with Fathanah, KPK also found Rp1.3 billion of bribe money allegedly set to be delivered to Luthfi.
The trial of two other suspects in the case, Arya Abdi Effendy and Juard Effendi, meanwhile, has already conducted last week. Arya Abdi Effendy and Juard Effendi, two Directors of PT Indoguna Utama, have each charged with 4.5 years jail term and Rp200 million in fine, which can be substituted with 4 months jail term.
The beef import quota graft and money laundering case has dragged a lot of PKS leaders, including PKS patron leader Hilmi Aminuddin, PKS President Anis Matta and Suswono (PKS politician and Minister of Agriculture). The case has brought down the electability of PKS, the largest Muslim-based party in the House of Representatives (DPR), to continue crashed into less than 3% as shown by various surveys. (haryanto@yosefardi.com)