Setya's first hearing starts, but disrupted by medical checkup

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Wed, December 13, 2017

The first hearing in the trial of embattled House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto in the e-ID graft case at the Jakarta Corruption Court was cut short after Setya’s lawyers said their client required an immediate medical examination.

The indictment had yet to be read when the trial was adjourned as Setya was unable to answer presiding judge Yanto’s questions.

“Can you hear my question?” judge Yanto asked Setya.

Prosecutor Irene Putri told the bench that a doctor had examined Setya before the latter appeared in court. “He [Setya] complained that he was not well. However, his vitals were good. The doctor concluded that he was fit to be questioned.”

She added that doctors from Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital had examined the suspect several days ago and concluded that the suspect was healthy.

However, with Setya’s lawyers insisting that he undergo another examination, the judge adjourned the hearing at 10:45 a.m. to allow Setya to seek medical attention at a nearby clinic. It was not made clear when the hearing would resume.

Setya is the first House lawmaker to be taken to court as a suspect in the e-ID graft case, which reportedly caused Rp 2.3 trillion in state losses. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) renamed him a suspect in the case on Nov. 10 after the embattled politician won a pretrial motion that voided his previous suspect status in late September.


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