Harvey Moeis Sentenced to 6.5 Years for Corruption; Law Expert Slams ‘Unclear’ Rationale
In a corruption case that has captivated the nation, Harvey Moeis has been sentenced to 6.5 years in prison. The court’s decision, however, has been met with criticism from legal experts, who argue that the rationale behind the sentence is unclear and lenient.
The judge acknowledged Harvey’s polite demeanor during the trial and his family status as mitigating factors in the sentencing. This approach has been lambasted by Abdul Fickar Hadjar, a prominent criminal law expert from the University of Trisakti. In a statement to detikcom, Fickar expressed his disapproval, saying, "The judge’s reasons are unclear. Being polite and having a family shouldn’t reduce a corruption sentence. This is ridiculous."
Fickar further argued that the length of the prison sentence, regardless of how long, will not deter corruptors. He believes that corruptors who are caught often receive lenient sentences because they are "good at playing the system."
The expert also suggested that the Jakarta Prosecutor’s Office could still appeal the case. He believes that prosecutors should provide a clearer picture of the state’s losses to strengthen their case.
Fickar criticized the sentence, stating, "Harvey’s sentence is unjust. The prosecution sought 12 years, so at least 8-10 years would have been appropriate, that’s 67% of the prosecution’s demand plus 10%."
In this case, Harvey Moeis was found guilty of corruption in the management of tin commodity trading, leading to a state loss of IDR 300 trillion. He was also ordered to pay a fine of IDR 1 billion, with an additional 6-month imprisonment if not paid. Furthermore, Harvey must pay IDR 210 billion in compensation, with the possibility of his assets being seized and auctioned off if he fails to do so, or an additional 2-year imprisonment if the amount is insufficient.
(isa/dhn)
