Rudi Rubiandini gets 7-year jail term for taking bribes

The Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced Rudi Rubiandini, former Chairman of upstream authority SKK Migas, seven years in jail for committing corruption and money laundering by receiving money from several oil and gas firms and SKK Migas? officials, Antara has reported.

Besides, the panel of judges also demanded on Tuesday Rudi pay Rp 200 million in fines or have three months added to his sentence should he fails to do so.

The sentence is lighter than the one sought by the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) prosecutors. The KPK demanded a 10-year jail term, a Rp 250 fine and an additional three month imprisonment in case Rudi fails to pay the fine.

Rudi was found guilty of receiving S$200,000 and US$900 from Singaporean businessman Widodo Ratanachaithong and oil trader PT Kernel Oil Pte Limited through Simon Gunawan Tandjaya. Rudi was expected to direct the tender process of government?s oil and condensate in favor of the company.

Rudi was also found guilty of receiving US$522.500 from businesswoman Artha Meris Simbolon and chemical producer PT Kaltim Parna Industri (KPI) through his golf trainer Devardi. Rudi was expected to submit a recommendation for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to cut the price of gas for KPI.

Besides, Rudi was proved to have received S$600,000 from his deputy Johannes Widjonarko, now interim leader of SKK Migas, US$350,000 from former Deputy of Business Support Control at SKK Migas Gerhard Rumesser and US$50,000 from former Head of Support Division at SKK Migas Iwan Rahman. The money was given through Deviardi.

Rudi used the money for among others the purchasing of a house in Tebet area, South Jakarta, two cars (Toyota Camry and Volvo) and two wristwatches (Rolex and Citizen) and the payment of wedding organizing service for his daughter?s wedding. (*)