Wife Testifies: Judge’s Bribery Charges Leave Family Financially Struggling
marta Panggabean, wife of Surabaya District Court judge Mangapul, delivered a powerful testimony at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. her husband, a defendant in the bribery case regarding the acquittal of Ronald Tannur, has been suspended as December 2024, leaving the family in financial distress.
“No More Salary, Children’s Education at Risk”
Marta revealed the harsh reality of their situation, stating, “No more (receiving a salary). Since December I have never received a salary until now. Even though I have three students, this is what makes me sad and the other one is in the private sector and is also the youngest,” she told the court.
The emotional toll was evident as Marta recounted her experiences. She described the despair of checking her ATM balance only to be met with “your balance is zero.” Fighting back tears, she admitted, ”I got angry with my father, ‘As of you it’s like this’. that’s it, I said,”
Seeking Help, Selling Belongings to Survive
Despite the anger, Marta spoke of her deep sympathy for her husband, questioning how their lives had taken such a turn. She revealed that her sister-in-law and the sale of jewelry have become essential to meet their daily needs.
“I asked my sister for help, my sister is also there. My sister-in-law also helped me. Later, when I have money, it’s called mothers, we have small pieces of jewelry, we shift them so we can survive.Because now it’s for children to pay for college too -children,” Marta said.
The Bribery Case: A Timeline of Events
The case against judge Mangapul and two other Surabaya District court judges stems from allegations that thay accepted Rp 1 billion and SGD 308,000 (approximately Rp 3.6 billion) in bribes to acquit Ronald Tannur in a fatal accident case. The judges were accused of colluding with Tannur’s mother, Meirizka Widjaja, and lawyer Lisa Rahmat to secure Tannur’s freedom.
Initially, Tannur received a sentence that was later overturned by the Supreme Court. He was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison.The Supreme Court also imposed ethical sanctions on five judges and registrars involved in the case.
the Human cost of Corruption
marta Panggabean’s testimony offers a glimpse into the devastating impact of corruption. Beyond the legal ramifications, the case has shattered a family’s financial security and left them struggling to meet basic needs. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of bribery and the importance of upholding justice.