SLEMAN, Legal Literacy— Sleman Regent Harda Kiswaya testified in the continuation of the alleged corruption case of the 2020 Tourism Grant Fund with the defendant being former Sleman Regent Sri Purnomo. Harda was presented by the Public Prosecutor (JPU) as a witness at the Corruption Crime Court (Tipikor) at the Yogyakarta District Court.

In this case, Harda explained that his position in 2020 was still the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of the Sleman Regency Government. The trial was led by Chief Judge Melinda Aritonang with member judges Gabriel Siallagan and Elias Hamonangan.

The Panel of Judges Highlights Circular Letter of November 5, 2020

The panel of judges began the examination by questioning whether the granting of the grant was in accordance with its purpose. Harda stated that he prepared the administrative and regulatory aspects so that the implementation in the field would not deviate.

The judge then highlighted the Technical Circular Letter (SE) on Tourism Grants signed by Harda as Regional Secretary on November 5, 2020. The panel questioned the chronology of the issuance of the SE because the date coincided with the signing of the Regional Grant Agreement between the central government and the Sleman Regency Government.

Answering the question, Harda stated that the draft SE was submitted by his subordinates and according to the information he received, the draft was the direction of Sri Purnomo as regent at that time. Harda said he signed the SE “on behalf of the Regent” (A.n. Regent).

When the panel emphasized who actually issued the SE, Harda replied that the substance and orders came from the regent, while he only signed on his behalf.

Harda also conveyed that the draft SE was prepared by a technical department, namely the Tourism Office, and he reminded that its preparation should follow the provisions of the legislation. The judge also questioned why the SE was issued before there was a Regent Regulation. Harda replied that he believed the regional apparatus compiled it according to the rules.