KENDARI (Yosefardi) – Buhari Matta, non-active Regent of Kolaka in Southeast Sulawesi, was sentenced for 4.5 years imprisonment related to corruption act in the long-delayed graft case of the sale and purchasement of low-grade saprolite ore from PT INCO (now PT Vale Indonesia Tbk), resulting state loss of Rp29.957 billion.
The Corruption Court in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, in a trial on Monday (Sep 2), also ordered Buhari to pay Rp500 million in fines which can be substituted with six months imprisonment.
The verdict issued by panel of judges chaired by Aminuddin, however, was lighter than demanded by the prosecutor team.
Previously, the prosecutor team demanded 7 years jail term – and Rp500 million in fines which can be substituted with six months jail term – for Buhari.
The case emerged in June 25, 2010, when Kolaka regency administration under Buhari Matta received low-grade saprolite ore (1.45 to 1.6% nickel) amounting 222 thousand wet metric ton from PT INCO (now PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, a subsidiary company of Vale, the world’s second largest mining company).
Regent Buhari then reportedly sold those millions ore with price USD10 per metric ton to PT Kolaka Mining International (PT KMI) back in June 28, 2010, without approval from the Kolaka Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).
Later, Buhari along with Atto Sakmiwata Sampetoding, director of PT KMI, were named as suspects by the Attorney General Office (AGO) in July 2011.
Buhari is known as relatives of Harifin Tumpa. Buhari is also known to have close relationship with Police brigadier general Edi Susilo (former chief of the Southeast Sulawesi Police).
Last year, Buhari, who currently serves as chairman of PPP Southeast Sulawesi chapter, had lost the battle from incumbent Governor Nur Alam in the Southeast Sulawesi gubernatorial election. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)