JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – A corruption trial expected to be held on Monday (Nov. 4) when Ahmad Fathanah, charged with 17.5 years jail time on bribery and money laundering cases related to beef import quota, will face his verdict trial.
Fathanah boss, former Chairman of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, meanwhile, would also face verdict trial later.
The trial is scheduled to take place at the Jakarta Corruption Court today. This will definitely add pressure to PKS, one of five Muslim-based eligible political parties to contest in next year’s elections.
The case has dragged down PKS’s approval rating to below 4% as shown by various surveys. PKS currently is the largest Muslim-based party in the House of Representatives (DPR) controlling 57 seats (10.17%) from 560 total seats.
PKS controls three portfolios in SBY’s cabinet (Agricultural Ministry, ICT Ministry and Social Affairs Ministry).
As reported earlier, prosecutor from the anti graft commission KPK considered Fathanah was guilty of receiving Rp1.3 billion bribe from PT Indoguna Utama. The bribe was given to “taking care” the beef import quota manipulation along with former PKS Chairman Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)