Religious Affairs Minister Receives Endowment, Says Court Judge

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The panel of judges in the corruption court (Tipikor) concludes in today’s court session that Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin had accepted Rp70 million from the Head of East Java’s Religious Affairs Regional Headquarter Haris Hasanudin.

“The acts of defendant Haris Hasanuddin in rewarding a certain amount of money to the witnesses; Romahurmuziy and Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, through his personal aide Herry Purwanto between January 6 to March 9, 2019, were partially linked but not interdependent. Therefore, the judges conclude that the defendant’s acts are considered as voortgezette handeling,” said a member of the panel of judges Hariono in today’s corruption court, August 7.

Haris Hasanudin has been handed a 2-year prison sentence with additional Rp150 million fine or a three-month subsidiary prison sentence.

“On March 1, 2019, at the Hotel Mercure in Surabaya, defendant Haris met with the witness, Lukman Hakim Saifudin, and in that instance, Haris handed Lukman Hakim Saifudin Rp50 million,” said judge Hariono.

Moreover, at the Tebu Ireng Jombang Islamic boarding school (pesantren) on March 9, Haris also gave Rp20 million to Lukman Hakim through Herry Purwanto who acted as Haris’ personal aide.

The judges deemed that these series of events, and the individuals involved, have fulfilled the legal definition of handing over endowment.

ANTARA