KPK Tracks Setya Novanto\'s Assets

The Corruption Eradication Commission is tracking down the assets of former House of Representatives speaker Setya Novanto to cover the restitution fine as the Jakarta Corruption Court ordered as part of his sentence in the corruption case concerning the procurement of electronic identity cards.

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

Setya Novanto

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is tracking down the assets of former House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Setya Novanto to cover the restitution fine as the Jakarta Corruption Court ordered as part of his sentence in the corruption case concerning the procurement of electronic identity (e-ID) cards. To date, Setya has only deposited Rp 5 billion and $100,000 in installments toward the restitution fine.

According to the verdict issued by the Jakarta Corruption Court justices on April 24, Setya was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined Rp 500 million. In addition, the former Golkar Party chairman was also obliged to pay a restitution fine of $7.3 million, equivalent to Rp 66 billion in 2010, when he embezzled the e-ID card funds.

"With regard to the restitution fine that must be paid by the convict of the e-ID card graft case, that is Setya, it has yet to be paid in full, but several payments have been made,” said KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah on Sunday (9/9/2018) in Jakarta. “The first installment was deposited before the case was completed. Then, a second installment was made."

The Corruption Court’s decision mentioned the initial Rp 5 billion payment as a deduction from the restitution fine. Setya\'s nephew, Irvanto Hendra Pambudi Cahyo, had reportedly used the money to cover a shortage for the Golkar National Leadership Meeting. Setya testified to this at court during cross-examination. He also said that he had asked his wife to return the money in full.

Meanwhile, Setya has fully paid the fines in accordance with the court’s sentencing. "The fine has been finalized. Now, [only] the restitution fine remains. Therefore, the KPK is now tracking down the assets or funds Setya Novanto own in any existing accounts for the restitution payment," said Febri.

Based on Setya\'s official wealth report (LHKPN) of April 13, 2015, the former Golkar politician held assets of Rp 114.76 billion and $49,150, including 23 properties in Greater Jakarta and Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, with a total value of Rp 81.73 billion and 14 cars and three motorcycles valued at Rp 2.3 billion.

The rest comprise Rp 932.5 million in precious metals, Rp 8.45 billion in securities, Rp 21.29 billion in a savings account and $49,150 in cash. The KPK believes that Setya has greater assets beyond those in the LHKPN that are located overseas.

Money laundering

Separately, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) coordinator Adnan Topan Husodo said that, in addition to focusing on the restitution fine, the KPK needed to deal immediately with allegations of money laundering and corporate corruption that emerged from developments in Setya’s case.

"If [these are] not thoroughly investigated, the return of assets will be minimal and detrimental. The total losses are not limited to those who [directly] benefited. Moreover, many companies were said to have benefited from the funds [embezzled] from the e-ID card project, which was the fundamental right of the citizens," he said.

Five of the eight defendants in the case have been convicted, including former Home Ministry officials Irman and Sugiharto and businessmen Andi Agustinus and Anang Sugiana Sudihardjo. Setya and Markus Nari come from the political sphere, but no progress has been made in Markus’ case.

Other parties involved in the e-ID card case are Irvanto and Made Oka Masagung, who are currently being tried at the Jakarta Corruption Court. Other related cases the KPK is working on includes the obstruction of justice and perjury cases of Miryam S Haryani, Fredrich Yunadi, and Bimanesh Sutarjo.

(IAN)