Democratic Party Lawmaker As’ad Syam Is Finally Jailed

Jakarta Globe, Heru Andriyanto | August 05, 2010

Jakarta. A legislator from the ruling Democratic Party headed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has finally been taken into custody, 20 months after the Supreme Court jailed him for four years for corruption.

As’ad Syam, arrested at his home in Pondok Cabe, Depok, West Java on Wednesday night, is the former head of Muarojambi district, Jambi, and is a member of the House of Representatives’ Commission VIII which oversees social affairs, religious affairs and women’s empowerment.

Babul Khoir, the spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office told the Jakarta Globe that As’ad was arrested by a joint team from the AGO and Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

“As’ad will be flown to Jambi today,” Babul said, adding that the convict was still undergoing a medical examination at the AGO’s detention facility.

“He will serve his sentence at Muaro Jambi prison,” Babul said.

Last year, the Supreme Court overturned the rulings of two lower courts that found As’ad Syam not guilty in a corruption case that caused state losses of Rp 4 billion ($440,000) during the construction of a diesel power station in Muarojambi in 2004.

The Supreme Court posted its decision on its Web site on Jan. 23, 2009, but did not send a letter to the Sengeti District Court informing it of its decision until October 2009.

As’ad, however, refused to serve his sentence and he was declared as a fugitive by the Jambi Prosecutor’s Office on July 12, 2010.

Saan Mustofa, secretary general of the Democrat Party, said its stance on As’ad was clear, namely that they remained committed to upholding the law.

“Concerning his position in the House, the [party] will discuss this,” he said.