Jakarta, Legal Literacy - The Panel of Judges of the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced seven former members of the Overseas Election Committee (PPLN) of Kuala Lumpur to 4 months in prison with a 1-year probation period.

"Declares the defendants Umar Faruk, Tita Oktavia Cahya Rahayu, Dicky Saputra, Aprijon, Puji Sumarsono, A Khalil, and Masduki Khamdan Muchamad proven legally and convincingly guilty of committing a criminal act by deliberately committing an unlawful act, falsifying voter data and lists, whether ordering, committing, or participating in the act," said Chief Judge Buyung Dwikora.

Judge Buyung also advised the defendants that their good intentions should be accompanied by compliance with applicable regulations.

"Don't be a 'Robin Hood'. Good intentions must be accompanied by adherence to the rules. Don't just help others, but instead break the law," said Judge Buyung.

Illustration Image of Former PPLN Kuala Lumpur (Robin Hood)
Illustration Image of Former PPLN Kuala Lumpur (Robin Hood)

Case Chronology

In October 2023, the PPLN Kuala Lumpur was found to have manipulated voter data and lists for the 2024 Election. This manipulation was carried out by entering the data of ineligible voters and deleting the data of eligible voters.

This case was then processed legally, and the seven members of the PPLN Kuala Lumpur were charged with Article 263 paragraphs (1) and (2) of the Criminal Code concerning data falsification.

Judge's Verdict for Former PPLN Kuala Lumpur

The panel of judges assessed that the seven defendants were proven legally and convincingly guilty of committing the crime of falsifying data and voter lists.

The seven defendants are:

  • Umar Faruk (Chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Overseas Election Committee)
  • Tita Oktavia Cahya Rahayu (Member of the Kuala Lumpur Overseas Election Committee for the Finance Division)
  • Dicky Saputra (Member of the Kuala Lumpur Overseas Election Committee for the Data and Information Division)
  • Aprijon (Member of the Kuala Lumpur Overseas Election Committee for the HR Division)
  • Puji Sumarsono (Member of the Kuala Lumpur Overseas Election Committee for the Socialization Division)
  • A Khalil (Member of the Kuala Lumpur Overseas Election Committee for the Election Implementation Technical Division)
  • Masduki Khamdan Muchamad (Member of the Kuala Lumpur Overseas Election Committee for the Logistics Division)

However, the judge considered several mitigating factors for the defendants' sentences, such as:

  • The defendants have never been convicted
  • The defendants have admitted their actions
  • The defendants have regretted their actions

Therefore, the panel of judges sentenced the defendants to 4 months in prison with a 1-year probation period.

Impact of the Verdict

This judge's verdict is expected to provide a deterrent effect for other election organizers not to commit fraud in the election implementation.

In addition, this verdict is also expected to increase public trust in the implementation of elections in Indonesia.