Former UI rector stands trial for graft

JAKARTA. A team of prosecutors alleged on Wednesday that former University of Indonesia (UI) rector Gumilar Rusliwa Sumantri accepted an iPad and a personal computer (PC) to approve the installation of an information technology (IT) system at the university in 2010.

In a trial hearing of former UI deputy rector Tafsir Nurchamid, who is a suspect in a corruption case relating to the IT installation in the university’s library between 2010 and 2011, prosecutor Supardi said that Gumilar, along with Tafsir and other of the university’s senior officials, embezzled chunks of state funding intended for the project.

“[Tafsir has] enriched himself or others in [the] institution,” Supardi said as quoted by okezone.com, as he read out the prosecution’s indictment at the Jakarta Corruption Court.

Tafsir stands accused of marking up the value of the project, which amounted to Rp 21 billion (US$1.84 million), causing state losses of Rp 35 billion. Gumilar is currently a witness in the case.

The indictment also read that Gumilar had acknowledged and signed revisions of the project’s contract during construction and payment periods. Prosecutors also allege that Gumilar appointed PT Netsindo Inter Buana, although the company was unqualified to undertake the project.

“The [approval] letter [for Netsindo] was delivered by the defendant and approved by Gumilar Rusliwa Sumantri.”

The indictment also claimed that the embezzled money was used to buy Gumilar’s iPad and an Apple PC.