Bekasi Regent trial: Businessman says he lent Rp 8 billion for political debts

The trial for Bekasi Regent Ade Kuswara Kunang and his father, HM Kunang, is underway at the Bandung Corruption Court. During a recent session, seven witnesses testified, revealing that Ade Kunang allegedly borrowed Rp 8 billion from businessman Sarjan, who is also a defendant in the case and has already received a three-year, three-month prison sentence.

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Sugiarto conveyed that Mr. Ade wanted to borrow money to pay off debts (political). If I'm not mistaken, it was Rp 8 billion.

Sarjan testified that Ade Kunang, through an intermediary named Sugiarto, requested the loan to cover "political debts." Sarjan stated that Ade Kunang confirmed the need for Rp 8 billion, and even mentioned Rp 10 billion, expressing his willingness to facilitate the loan. The funds were reportedly disbursed in stages through Sugiarto and another individual, Ricky Yuda, and originated from Sarjan's earnings on projects awarded by the Bekasi Regency government.

However, the defense team for Ade Kunang argued that the testimony from the witnesses confirms the transaction was a loan. They contend that the funds in question were borrowed and not related to bribery or gratification. Furthermore, the defense asserted that the loan had no connection to the projects Sarjan won as a businessman.

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I asked, 'Sir, did you really want to borrow money through Sugiarto?' Mr. Ade confirmed.

The case involves allegations of corruption related to project kickbacks in Bekasi Regency. Ade Kuswara Kunang, his father H. M. Kunang, and Sarjan were named suspects after an arrest operation. The ongoing trial aims to clarify the nature of the financial transactions between the regent and the businessman.

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Regarding the witnesses, all of them confirmed that the money in question was a loan.