Minister of religion jailed in Indonesia

A former Minister of Religion has been jailed for 5 years in Jakarta. Said Agil Munawar served as Indonesia’s Minister of Religion from 1999 to 2004. During that time he embezzled $76 in funds designated to help Muslims attend the hajj in Mecca.

The Central Jakarta District Court found him guilty and gave him 5 years. He intends to appeal and who knows what the final outcome will be. This case is very encouraging, because it is an example of President SBY going after the high level corruptors. I applaud this and also would like to see stiff penalties handed to law enforcement officials and judges who accept bribes.

When I was in Semarang converting to Islam before getting married, one of the officials told us “I can do it for you but you must give me a lot of money.” So much for religious officials in Semarang.