Indonesia Court Jails President's In-law for Graft

Moving on to Indonesia where the country's corruption court has jailed one of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's in-laws for graft. The decision could help the president's re-election by showing his commitment to fight these kinds of crimes. The case against Aulia Pohan was seen as an important test of Indonesia's efforts to clamp down on corruption, especially where it involved the powerful or well-connected. Pohan, whose daughter is married to President Yudhoyono's eldest son, was one of four central bank officials involved in the scandal that cost the state close to $10 million in losses. [Kresna Menon, Judge]: "I declare the defendants Aulia Tantawi Pohan, Maman Husein Sumantri, Bunbunan Hutapea and Aslim Tajudin have carried out the crime of corruption under the law." The country's corruption court sentenced him to four-and-a-half years in prison for his role in approving illegal payments to members of parliament. Pohan's lawyer says they will appeal the verdict. Widespread graft deters investors who otherwise might pour billions of dollars into developing Indonesia's abundant oil, gas, and mineral deposits or improving its shoddy infrastructure. Despite the corruption court's recent successes in fighting graft, there have been setbacks. Earlier this year, the head of the Corruption Eradication Commission was detained as a murder suspect. Despite a 100 percent conviction rate, the court also faces possible extinction since the current parliament has yet to pass a law to extend its life.

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