Former ASDP President Director Sentenced too 4.5 Years in Corruption Case
Indonesia’s anti-corruption court delivered a 4.5-year prison sentence to Ira Puspadewi, former President Director of state-owned ferry operator PT ASDP indonesia Ferry (Persero), on Thursday, November 20th. The verdict stems from a case involving a Business Cooperation Agreement (KSU) and the 2019-2022 acquisition of PT Jembatan Nusantara. Puspadewi was also ordered to pay a fine of IDR 500 million (approximately $32,000 USD), with a subsidiary of 3 months imprisonment if the fine is unpaid.
The sentence is lighter than the 8 years and 6 months imprisonment, along with a IDR 500 million fine (with a 4-month subsidiary), initially sought by the KPK Public Prosecutor. Alongside puspadewi, Muhammad Yusuf Hadi, Director of Commercial and Services of PT ASDP, and Harry Muhammad Adhi Caksono, Director of Planning and Progress of PT ASDP, each received 4-year prison sentences and fines of IDR 250 million (approximately $16,000 USD), with a 3-month subsidiary.
The court found the defendants guilty of corruption that resulted in state financial losses estimated at IDR 1.25 trillion (approximately $80 million USD) related to the KSU and the acquisition of PT JN. However, the decision was not unanimous, revealing meaningful disagreement within the panel of judges.
Chief Judge Sunoto dissented, arguing that the actions taken by puspadewi and her colleagues were legitimate business decisions, not criminal acts. “The defendants should be declared free from all legal charges,” sunoto stated during the hearing, asserting that the Business Judgment Rule (BJR) protected their actions. He emphasized that directors should not fear criminalization for making tough business decisions necessary for company growth. Sunoto further argued that the prosecution failed to conclusively prove the elements of corruption related to state financial losses.
the panel of judges also noted that the defendants did not personally profit from the transactions. “Mitigating factors: The defendants were proven to have received no financial benefits,” explained Judge Nur Sari Baktiana. However, the court acknowledged that the actions of the defendants had resulted in substantial profits for PT JN and its owner, Adjie. This ultimately led the court to conclude that the actions fulfilled the criminal elements outlined in Article 3 of Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Law.
Following the verdict, Ira Puspadewi publicly requested legal protection from Indonesian President Prabowo subianto. She argued that suc
Expanded News Report:
Why did this happen? The case centers around a Business Cooperation Agreement (KSU) and the 2019-2022 acquisition of PT Jembatan Nusantara (PT JN) by PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry. Prosecutors alleged corruption leading to state financial losses of IDR 1.25 trillion (approximately $80 million USD). The core dispute revolves around whether the acquisition was a legitimate business decision or a corrupt act.
Who was involved? Ira Puspadewi, former President Director of PT ASDP, was the primary defendant and received a 4.5-year sentence. Muhammad Yusuf Hadi and harry Muhammad Adhi Caksono, both directors at PT ASDP, were also convicted and sentenced to 4 years each. Adjie, the owner of PT JN, benefited financially from the transactions. Chief Judge Sunoto dissented, and the KPK Public prosecutor initially sought harsher penalties.
what occurred? I
