Ratu Atut Testifies at Serang Anti-corruption Court on Thursday

TEMPO.CO, Serang – Suspended Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah attended a hearing at the Serang Anti-corruption Court on Thursday, March 5, 2015. Atut testified for seven suspects implicated in a case of alleged corruption centering on Rp7.65 billion worth of aid funds in the province in 2011-2012.

The seven suspects are former Banten third regional secretary Zainal Muttaqin, former Banten chief of Employee Affairs Unit Wahyu Hidayat; businessman Dudi Setiadi, Bina Insan Cinta Foundation chair Asep Supriyadi; former staffer of the Banten Public Welfare Bureau Sutan Amali; former unit chief of the Banten Revenue and Regional Cash Management Agency (DPPKD), Yudianto M. Salikin; and Atut’s former secretary Siti Halimah.

Tubagus Sukatma, one of Atut’s lawyers, said Atut was excited to have the chance to testify before the court and shed light on the facts surrounding the alleged embezzlement of social and aid funds  that had been linked to her gubernatorial victory in 2011.

“She is happy because she has the change to speak out the truth,” Tubagus said on Thursday, March 5, 2015.

Tubagus added his client had been ignorant of any possible cut of the funds reportedly used to finance her gubernatorial campaign—as was revealed in prior hearings.

“The cuts were made by Zainal Muttaqin, the former Public Welfare Bureau chief, and she was not aware that the funds were spent on her roadshows or campaign. She did not know that kind of technical issues,” he said.

The Banten Police deployed some 1,000 personnel to secure the court in light of the arrival of the province’s ex-ruler.

“There are a thousand policemen deployed to safeguard the court. This figure includes personnel for both open and closed security,” Banten Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Ermayadi said. 

WASI'UL ULUM