Headline:
Corruption Scandal: Activist Frowns on Court’s Decision, Demands Return of Seized Assets from Helena Lim
Subhead:
Anti-Corruption Activist Disagrees with Court Verdict, Pressures Prosecutors to Appeal
Byline:
Lirang Brata, Jakarta
Article:
In a surprising turn of events, the Masyarakat Anti Korupsi Indonesia (MAKI) has expressed its displeasure with the court’s decision to return seized assets to Helena Lim, a money changer and businesswoman accused of participating in a multi-billion-dollar corruption scheme involving the trade of tin. The activist group is urging prosecutors to appeal the verdict, which it believes is lenient given the magnitude of the alleged crime.
MAKI’s coordinator, Boyamin Saiman, told reporters, "I was let down by the court’s decision to return Helena Lim’s assets. I urge the Attorney General’s Office to file an appeal and insist on the seizure of her wealth to make up for the Rp 300 trillion loss to the state."
In its verdict, the court ruled that Helena Lim must pay a Rp 900 million fine as damages for her role in the corruption case that benefited Harvey Moeis. Boyamin contests this, highlighting the disparity between the damages assigned to each defendant. "It’s confusing, to say the least. Harvey Moeis was initially accused of causing Rp 420 billion in losses, but the damages assigned to him in this latest verdict amount to only Rp 210 billion," he said, questioning where the remaining funds went.
Boyamin maintains that Helena Lim, who has been convicted of corruption and money-laundering, should have her assets seized to compensate for the losses incurred by the state. "Given her involvement in the corruption case and the fact that her wealth is suspected to be the proceeds of her illegal activities, her assets should be seized and forfeited to the state," he stated.
The activistgroup is calling for a fair and just legal process, underscoring the enormous losses suffered by the state due to Helena Lim’s alleged role in the illegal tin trading scheme. "Helena Lim’s conviction should serve as an example, and her assets should be seized to help recover the Rp 27 trillion in damages caused to the state," Boyamin stressed.
Moreover, MAKI has urged the government to continue investigating the case and consider declaring entrepreneur Robert Bonosusatya (RBS) a suspect in connection with the illegal tin trading scandal.
In a separate development, Helena Lim was sentenced to five years in prison for her role in the corruption case. The court also handed down a Rp 750 million fine, subsided by an additional six months of imprisonment, and ordered her to pay Rp 900 million in damages.
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