"The defendant along with Tubagus Chaeri Wardana Chasan alias Wawan had paid or pledged money worth Rp1 billion to Akil Mochtar as a constitutional court judge to influence a court ruling," public prosecutor of KPK Edy Hartoyo said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The provincial governor of Banten in West Java, Ratu Atut Chosiyah, was charged with paying Rp1 billion to former constitutional court chief justice Akil Mochtar to win an election dispute.

"The defendant along with Tubagus Chaeri Wardana Chasan alias Wawan had paid or pledged money worth Rp1 billion to Akil Mochtar as a constitutional court judge to influence a court ruling," public prosecutor of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Edy Hartoyo said at a court hearing here on Tuesday.

Atut, since March 2013, had been known to support Amir Hamzah and Kasmin for the post of Lebak districts chief and deputy chief. Hamzah and Kasmin were later defeated by Iti Oktavia Jayabaya and Ade Sumardi, respectively, based on vote count by the General Election Commission (KPU) on September 8, 2013.

Atut then gathered Amir Hamzah, Kasmin and Rudy Alfonso on September 9 at the Hotel Sultan to ask them to file a lawsuit in the constitutional court citing fraud. At the time, Amir Hamzah asked Susi Tur to be one of his lawyers.

Akil later chaired the court session on the case along with Maria Farida Indrati and Anwar Usman as members.

On September 22, 2013, in the lobby of the JW Marriott Hotel in Singapore, Atut, Wawan and Akil met. On the occasion, Atut asked Akil to help the Amir Hamzah-Kasmin duo win in the dispute, so that there is re-voting in Lebak.

Atut later assigned Wawan, who is her younger brother, to handle the case.

On September 25, Akil asked Wawan to come to his home through a text message, saying the "Lebak case is ready to be executed. Can you meet me tonight?" to discuss the case.

On September 26, at the office of the Banten governor, Ratu Atut, Amir Hamzah, Kasmin and Susi Tur met in which Amir Hamzah reported to Atut about the chances of his winning the lawsuit.

"Based on it, the defendant then called Djohermansyah Djohan, who is the director general of regional autonomy, to ask about the technical implementation of PSU," prosecutor Edy said.

Atut then asked for a settlement of the disputed case with Akil, who she had considered as her relative, so that the Lebak district chief and deputy chief would remain the same.

Until September 28, Akil asked Susi to tell Atut to prepare Rp3 billion so that the election can be held again as there will soon be a ruling.

"Ask her to prepare Rp3 billion, so that I can decide to repeat the election, perhaps next Tuesday," Akil said.

On September 29, Wawan was contacted by Akil who asked to discuss the Lebak case and at 5 p. m. Wawan met with Akil at the latters official residence.

At around 11 p. m. Wawan met with Amir Hamzah and Kasmin and told them he had met with Akil and asked Amir to meet Susi who is close to Akil.

On September 30, Amir Hamzah told Atut through a text message that the ruling will be in his favor, with five judges for and four against.

At around 10 p. m., Wawan and Susi met at the Ritz Carlton Hotel where Susi said Akil asked for Rp3 billion but Amir did not have the money. Susi then asked Wawan to provide the funds.

When Susi and Wawan were still discussing the issue, Akil sent a text message to Susi reading, "No clearance yet. Tomorrow the case will be settled. (Unless it is clear) it will be over."

The text message was shown to Wawan and because of that Wawan told Akil through a text message "Sir, Wawan has talked with Susi. Susi will report personally to you. Thanks."

Wawan then called Atut to report the development. Atut later agreed to meet Akils demand.

After getting an approval from Atut, Wawan then told Susi that he was ready to pay only Rp1 billion and Susi reported that to Akil.

Until 1.30 p. m. Susi did not as yet have the money and so she reported it to Amir who then asked Atut to help.

Later on October 1, Susi received Rp1 billion from Wawans staff Ahmad Farid Asyari at the Allson hotel.

In the ruling, the court finally ordered the KPU to repeat the election in Lebak.

Atut did not object to the charge and so the session was adjourned until May 13.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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