REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Lawyer Maqdir Ismail asserted that his client, Setya Novanto is not the main perpetrator in e-ID card procurement corruption case that caused the state lose up to Rp 2,3 trillion. 

He explained that the former House of Representative speaker was involved in the middle. At that time, the fund for this project has been approved by the Financial and Development Supervisory Board (BPKP) and taken to the House of Representatives for approval. 

"After approved by BPKP, the budget draft has been taken to the House of Representatives to be approved, and now BPKP is saying that this is a financial loss for the state. Even though it was them who counted it," said Maqdir at the Corruption Court on Thursday (January 4).

He explained that the main perpetrators of this big corruption case are Ministry of Home Affairs officials who designed the budget. "And the draft was submitted to be questioned by BPKP and BPKP made approval," said Maqdir. 

The panel of judges of Corruption Court rejected an objection plea from Novanto's lawyer on Thursday (January 4). Thus, the trial will be proceeded to the main session of witnesses examination case on Thursday (January 11). 

In his indictment, Novanto was charged with violating Article 2 paragraph (1) and or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Act, with maximum threat of life sentence or maximum 20 years imprisonment. Novanto was charged with misusing authority as a member of the Parliament in e-ID procurement project.

According to the prosecutor, Novanto directly or indirectly intervened in budgeting and procurement of goods and services in e-ID procurement project on 2011-2013. The abuse of authority was done by Novanto to benefit himself and enrich others and corporations. Novanto has been enriched 7,3 million US dollars and received a Richard Mille watch for 135 thousand US dollars. (Idealisa Masyrafina)

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