REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) testified as witness in Judicial Review hearing for defendant of the implementation of hajj graft case Suryadharma Ali. In the hearing, JK said the minister was given the flexibility in using the ministerial operating fund (DOM).
Responded to JK's testimony, Suryadharma felt satisfied. The former religious affairs minister in 2009-2014 said JK understood ministerial duties and rules related to minister's operational funding.
“So I feel satisfied with JK’s testimony and hopefully all parties can understand,” said Suryadharma after the hearing held at Corruption Court, Jakarta, on Wednesday.
Suryadharma said verdict imposed by Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on him was not right. The state loss was counted based on the PMK 003 in 2006. "I was tried using the PMK number 003 in 2006. The 2006 PMK has been revoked, so I am tried by the expired PMK," he said.
Also read: Suryadharma costs the state to Rp 27 billion of losses
DOM previously stipulated in Finance Minister Regulation No. 3/2006 on administrative that requires accountability. It has been amended and regulated in Finance Minister Regulation No. 268/PMK.05/2014 on Procedures for Implementation of Operational Fund Budget of Minister/ Head of Institution.
In the regulation, 80 percent of operational funds are given/ paid at once (lump sum) to the Minister/Head of Institution and 20 percent are used for other operations. Meanwhile, Suryadharma lawyer, M Rullyandi said JK’s testimony strengthens his client.
“We already heard DOM did not have to be accounted, please note. So it will probably be a consideration for Supreme Court panel judges,” M Rullyandi said.
On January 11, 2016, Suryadharma was sentenced 6 years imprisonment and a fine Rp 300 million or 3 months confinement and replacement money Rp 1.821 billion. Suryadharman was proven to commit a criminal act of corruption in the implementation of hajj.
Suryadharma also proved to divert the minister's operational fund Rp 1.8 billion. The use of DOM was affirmed by the panel of judges not in accordance with Finance Minister Regulation which regulates the use of DOM.