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Corruption: Ronald Tannur Murder Trial, Corrupt Judges and Growing Frustration

…criticism over perceptions the case is being slow-walked.

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Corruption: Ronald Tannur Murder Trial, Corrupt Judges and Growing Frustration

Based on reporting by Tempo Magazine staff correspondents, January 2025

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The high-profile case of Gregorius Ronald Tannur, who faced charges of assault and murder, threatens to expose a sprawling web of corruption within Indonesia’s judicial and political establishments. His acquittal in July 2024, delivered by a panel of three judges from the Surabaya District Court, has since been marred by allegations of bribery involving judicial and political figures.

Political Connections and Family Ties

Ronald Tannur is the son of Edward Tannur, a former member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) from the National Awakening Party (PKB). Following his son’s controversial acquittal, Edward was suspended both from his party and his position in the House of Representatives. Born on December 2, 1961 in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara, Edward has had a career spanning business and politics. He served as the Director of Tulip Supermarket since 1980 and engaged in the construction sector from 1983. His career in politics began in local government, where he held various leadership roles in the North Central Timor Regency before entering national politics in 2019.

Responding to public outrage over the case, Edward apologized and expressed shock at his son’s actions. “I extend my condolences to the victim’s family,” he stated at a press conference in October 2023. Edward maintained that he had avoided interfering with any related legal proceedings, emphasizing his commitment to transparency.

Allegations of Judicial Bribery

The investigation into Ronald Tannur’s case has implicated prominent judicial figures. According to Harli Siregar, Head of the Legal Information Center at the Attorney General’s Office, Meirizka Widjaja, Ronald’s mother, and his lawyer, Lisa Rachmat, orchestrated a scheme to influence court proceedings. From October 2023 through August 2024, approximately IDR 1.5 billion (about USD $100,000) was allegedly paid to secure a favorable verdict.

Lisa Rachmat reportedly engaged Zarof Ricar, a former official from Indonesia’s Supreme Court, to facilitate meetings with the judges handling the case. Zarof allegedly acted as an intermediary between Lisa and Surabaya District Court Chief Judge Rudi Suparmono. Though Rudi was allocated a bribe of SGD $20,000 (approximately Rp 237 million), he had not yet received the money at the time of discovery. Investigations are ongoing to determine his culpability.

The Role of Corrupt Judges

Court documents detail how Lisa Rachmat allegedly delivered SGD $140,000 in bribes to the three judges presiding over Ronald’s trial—Judge Erintuah Damanik, Judge Mangapul, and Judge Heru Hanindyo. The bribes, allegedly distributed in cash during meetings in the capital city of Central Java province Semarang, were intended to secure an acquittal. On June 1, 2024, Lisa allegedly met with Judge Erintuah Damanik at Semarang’s Ahmad Yani Airport’s Dunkin’ Donuts, where she allegedly handed over a portion of the funds. Judge Erintuah Damanik later allegedly shared the money with the other two judges sitting in the trial.

The panel, composed of Judges Damanik, Mangapul, and Hanindyo, delivered a not-guilty verdict on July 24, 2024, sparking public outcry. In subsequent legal proceedings, all three judges have faced charges of accepting bribes totaling SGD $308,000 and Rp 1 billion. They are currently being tried at Jakarta’s Corruption Court.

Further Legal Implications

Meirizka Widjaja and Lisa Rachmat’s cases moved to the second stage of prosecution in January 2025. They are charged with bribery and conspiracy under Indonesia’s Anti-Corruption Law and face additional allegations involving alleged bag man former Supreme Court official Zarof Ricar. Zarof’s role in manipulating superior court (cassation) level judges for Ronald’s appeal remains under investigation. On October 24, 2024, investigators for the Attorney General’s Office seized nearly Rp 1 trillion (about USD $63 million) in cash and 51 kilograms of gold from Zarof’s residences, believed to be linked to years of corruption at Indonesia’s Supreme Court.

Despite mounting evidence, Zarof’s case has yet to reach trial. AGO spokesperson Harli Siregar claimed that the Attorney General’s Office is finalizing documentation before transferring the case to prosecutors. The delay, while within legal time limits, has drawn criticism over perceptions the case is being slow-walked.

Broader Impact

The Ronald Tannur case has reignited debates about judicial corruption in Indonesia. Critics have called for stricter oversight and reform within the judiciary to restore public trust. With multiple figures implicated, including judges and political operatives, the unfolding trials may test the country’s resolve to address entrenched corruption in the legal system.

This article is based on https://www.tempo.co/hukum/profil-edward-tannur-ayah-ronald-tannur-yang-dinonaktifkan-sebagai-anggota-dpr-dan-pkb–33767; https://www.tempo.co/hukum/eks-ketua-pn-surabaya-dapat-jatah-uang-suap-vonis-bebas-ronald-tannur-1192909; https://www.tempo.co/hukum/berkas-pengacara-dan-ibu-ronald-tannur-masuk-tahap-ii-1191604; and https://www.tempo.co/penulis/amelia-rahima-sari-136

In earlier news…

Indonesian Attorney General’s Office Stunned by Discovery of Nearly $63 Million and 51 kg of Gold in Ex-Supreme Court Official’s Home

By the Editorial Team at Kumparan.com, October 25, 2024

The Indonesian Attorney General’s Office (AGO) conducted a search of the home of former Supreme Court official Zarof Ricar in Jakarta, uncovering nearly Rp 1 trillion (approximately US$63 million) and 51 kilograms of gold.

The operation is linked to an investigation into an alleged bribery scheme intended to secure an acquittal for Ronald Tannur in his trial for the murder of his girlfriend Dini Sera Afriyanti. Ronald Tannur is the son of former Indonesian House of Representative legislator Edward Tannur (PKB-East Nusa Tenggara II). (https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Tannur)

The search of Zarof’s home, conducted on October 24, 2024, took place in two locations: Ricar’s residence in South Jakarta’s Senayan area and his accommodation at the Le Meridien Hotel in Bali. “AGO Special Crimes investigators, on October 24, 2024, searched two sites, including Zarof’s home in South Jakarta and a hotel room in Bali, conducting the operation late into the night,” said Abdul Qohar, Director of the AGO’s Special Crimes Investigation Unit, during a press briefing on Friday, October 25.

Evidence in the form of cash and gold in the alleged bribery case of Ronald Tannur’s acquittal. Photo: Jonathan Devin/kumparan Kejagung Kaget Temukan Uang Nyaris Rp 1 T & Emas 51 Kg di Rumah Eks Pejabat MA | kumparan.com

According to Qohar, investigators were astonished by the vast sum of cash they uncovered. “I have to say, even we were surprised,” he said. “We did not expect to find nearly Rp 1 trillion in cash, along with nearly 51 kilograms of gold stored in his residences.”

During the press conference, the AGO presented stacks of cash in multiple currencies, including Indonesian rupiah and US dollars, covering five different currencies. The breakdown is as follows:

  • Hong Kong Dollar (HKD): 483,320 HKD (equivalent to approximately IDR 975.5 million, at IDR 2,018 per HKD)
  • Euro (EUR): 71,200 EUR (around IDR 1.2 billion, at IDR 16,976 per EUR)
  • US Dollar (USD): 1,897,362 USD (about IDR 29.8 billion, at IDR 15,683 per USD)
  • Indonesian Rupiah (IDR): 5.7 billion IDR
  • Singapore Dollar (SGD): 74,494,427 SGD (equivalent to IDR 885 billion, at IDR 11,880 per SGD)
  • Gold: 51 kilograms of Antam-certified gold bars

Investigators suspect the funds and gold were part of illicit payments, including bribes and gratuities received by Zarof, allegedly for facilitating appeals in a variety of court cases, including Tannur’s. Qohar noted, “During his tenure as Head of the [Supreme Court’s] Research and Development, Education and Training Agency, Zarof is alleged to have accepted the illicit payments.”

According to Qohar, all of the assets uncovered—valued at approximately Rp 920.9 billion (US$58 million)—will be subject to further legal examination. Zarof Ricar’s most recent official role was as the head of the Supreme Court’s Research and Development, Education, and Training Agency. He was also given a credit as an executive producer of the recently released film, Sang Pengadil (The Judge).

Tannur Bribery Case

Zarof is alleged to have been promised Rp 1 billion (US$63,000) as a “facilitation fee” by Tannur’s lawyer, Lisa Rachmat, in exchange for expediting the appeal process and influencing the court’s decision. The aim was to ensure Tannur’s acquittal, upholding the ruling from the initial trial. Furthermore, Rachmat is suspected of allocating an additional Rp 5 billion (US$315,000) to bribe the judges handling the case, with funds allegedly to be delivered through Zarof.

The three judges who acquitted Ronald Tannur, from left: Erintuah Damanik, Heru Hanindyo, Mangapul. Photo: Doc. ANTARA/Nur Aprilliana Br Sitorus/ Surabaya District Court https://kumparan.com/kumparannews/kejagung-kaget-temukan-uang-nyaris-rp-1-t-and-emas-51-kg-di-rumah-eks-pejabat-ma-23mnxvvc88a/full

However, the appeal decision did not favor Tannur, who was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison by the Supreme Court on October 22, 2024. The Indonesian Supreme Court has not yet commented on the case, and Zarof has not made any public statements since being arrested.

This article is based on https://kumparan.com/kumparannews/kejagung-kaget-temukan-uang-nyaris-rp-1-t-and-emas-51-kg-di-rumah-eks-pejabat-ma-23mnxvvc88a/full.

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