Johannes Kotjo to Undergo Verdict Reading in Riau-1 PLTU Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The defendant in the graft case of the Riau-1 PLTU (steam-fueled power plant) project, Johannes Budisutrisno Kotjo (Johannes Kotjo), will undergo a verdict reading session at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday, December 13.

Earlier, the prosecutor of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) demanded that the former shareholder of Blackgold Natural Resources Ltd, be sentenced to four years in prison and pay a fine of Rp250 million, a subsidiary of 6 months in prison.

The prosecutor suspected Kotjo was proven to have bribed the deputy chairperson of the House of Representatives (DPR) Energy Commission Eni Maulani Saragih for Rp4,75 billion. The money was given so Eni helped Kotjo get the power plant project in Riau.

In his plea, Kotjo pleaded guilty to giving Eni the money. “It is true that I was giving assistance to Ms. Eni Maulani Saragih,” Johannes said while reading the plea at the hearing on Monday, December 3.

Even so, Johannes said that at first, he did not know that the money he gave was considered a bribe. Johannes said that as a layman about the law, he did not expect that the provision of assistance would stumble over a legal problem.

Johannes Kotjo claimed to be ready to accept the sentence for his actions. He also will not appeal the judge's decision later. “Whatever decision the judge will take, I will accept,” he said.

M ROSSENO AJI