Volcanic activity delays Bekasi corruption verdict

The verdict hearing for suspended Bekasi Regent Ade Kuswara and his father, H.M. Kunang, was postponed after one of the judges could not reach Bandung because a flight was delayed by activity from Anak Krakatau following an eruption.

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The hearing is postponed until next week, Sept. 14, 2026.

Ade Kuswara and Kunang had appeared at the Bandung District Court on Monday, Sept. 7, for the hearing in their alleged bribery case. Prosecutors from Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission and the defendants' lawyers were also present, while the courtroom filled with relatives and supporters.

After two judges entered and opened the proceedings, presiding judge Novian Saputra announced the postponement. The hearing was rescheduled for Sept. 14, 2026. The decision drew jeers from people in the courtroom, prompting Novian to demand tighter security and order the crowd to stop shouting.

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Please strengthen security later. It cannot be like this again. This is a courtroom, not a market.

Prosecutors accuse Ade and Kunang of receiving bribes from businessman Sarjan to arrange government work packages for the 2025 budget, with the value of the packages exceeding 12 billion rupiah. The indictment and prosecution documents put the alleged bribe total at 12.4 billion rupiah.

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We ask the panel of judges to sentence defendant one, Ade Kuswara, to seven years in prison and a fine of 300 million rupiah.

The KPK prosecutors have sought a seven-year prison sentence and a 300 million rupiah fine for Ade. They have sought four years in prison for Kunang. The charges cite Indonesia's anti-corruption law and other rules covering clean government, regional administration and public procurement.

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And sentence defendant two, H.M. Kunang, to four years in prison.