TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Riau Corruption Trial (RCT) watchdog reported Pelalawan District Court's panel of judges to the Judicial Commission for ruling in favor of PT Langgam Inti Hibrindo operational director Frans Katihokang in a 533-hectare land burning case.
"[We found] irregularities during the field trial," RCT's trial watch coordinator Ahlul Fadli told Tempo on Wednesday, June 22, 2016.
The panel of judges consisted of Presiding Judge I Dewa Gede Budhy Dharma Asmara and members Weni Warlia and Ayu Amelia. Fadli revealed that the panel of judges used facilities, such as cars and speedboats, provided by PT Langgam Inti Hibrido during the field trial at the land fire scene located at Afdeling Gondai, Langgam District, Pelalawan Regency on April 26, 2016.
"The lunch was even provided by the company being trialed," Fadli added.
Fadli viewed that the panel of judges had violated the code of ethics and should have provided or rented the transportation facilities. Based on the applicable regulations, a panel of judges is not allowed to use facilities or receive anything from individuals being trialed.
"We're asking the Judicial Commission to take assertive measures against the three judges,” Fadli said.
Judicial Commission's liaison coordinator for Riau Hotman Parulian Siahaan said that he had received RCT’s report and will send it to the Judicial Commission in Jakarta.
"The central Judicial Commission has the authority to follow up the report," Hotman addded.
Earlier, Frans Katihokang walked free from prosecutor's demand of two years imprisonment and Rp 1 billion (US$75,000) fine. Frans allegedly violated Article 99 paragraph 1 of Law no. 32/2009 on environment protection and management. The panel of judges viewed that the prosecutor’s charge could not be proven.
The case was exposed when the Riau Police found a burned land in a concession area owned by PT Langgam Inti Hibrido, a subsidiary company of Provident Ago Tbk. The land fire occurred on July 27, 2015 and was extinguished on July 31, 2015.
RIYAN NOFITRA
