JAKARTA: An Indonesian court sentenced a top police general to 10 years in jail yesterday for money-laundering and corruption in a major victory for the country’s main anti-graft agency.
The conviction of two-star police general Djoko Susilo, who amassed a fortune worth $18m while serving as Indonesia’s top traffic policeman, is the first of an active senior police officer by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and could pave the way for a broad campaign against police corruption.
The police are viewed as one of the most corrupt institutions in Indonesia and cleaning up a culture of graft is seen as critical to improving the country’s image with investors.
Susilo was found guilty of accepting kickbacks in the awarding of a contract for driving simulators while he was head of the National Police Traffic Corps.
Susilo, who denied wrongdoing, planned to appeal, his lawyer told the court.
While foreign investment pours into the resource-rich country, there is growing concern that rampant corruption and an incompetent bureaucracy could throttle growth and begin to scare off investment.
During KPK’s investigation of Susilo, officials found that he had amassed $18m worth of assets including land, cars and mansions, which he tried to hide under the names of his three wives.
REUTERS
