Pubdate: Tue, 07 Nov 2000
Source: Indonesian Observer (Indonesia)
Copyright: 2000 The Indonesian Observer
Contact:  http://www.indoexchange.com/indonesian-observer

DOYOK FACES 15 MONTH SENTENCE

TANGERANG (IO) -- The drugs trial of popular television entertainer
Sudarmadji alias Doyok (41) continued yesterday in Tangerang, west of
Jakarta, with prosecutors demanding a sentence of 15 months' imprisonment
and a fine of Rp1 million (US$110).

Local prosecutor Nandi Warsidi told the Tangerang District Court that Doyok
had violated Article 62 of the 1997 law on psychotropic substances.

In other words, he had been caught by police for possession and consumption
of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine).

Doyok looked healthy and in good spirits after the trial session and
expressed hope the court would not accept the prosecutor's demand for a 15
month sentence.

``For me, that's a very stiff punishment. But I hope the judges will decide
on a lighter one,'' he told journalists at the court.

It was the second day of Doyok's trial. The hearing was delayed last week
because the suspect had fallen ill with a bad dose of fear.

Doyok said he became sick after hearing a rumor that he would be sentenced
to three years in jail for his ``mistake''.

``I had a clammy fever for several days after hearing that rumor. But it
turns out that the district prosecutor demanded only a 15 month sentence
and fine of about Rp1 million,'' said the comedian.

Doyok and his friend Rizal Indra Kresna (38) were arrested at the
comedian's house on Jalan Gunung Sutra No.7 at Lippo Karawaci housing
complex in Tangerang on July 20.

They were nabbed by police while enjoying some shabu-shabu. About 0.5 grams
of the synthetic drug was confiscated from the house as material evidence.

Police also seized Rizal's black bag, which contained four packages of
shabu-shabu. Rizal is now facing a two-year sentence.

Doyok said he took drugs to keep him awake and alert. Media reports
sometimes glamorize shabu-shabu, saying the drug can induce euphoria and
hallucinations. But unreliable sources say a lot of the shabu-shabu
available in Indonesia is lousy stuff and merely leaves the user with a
headache and painfully prolonged comedown.
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