Surabaya. Robert Simangunsong, former chair of the National Democrat (Nasdem) Party Surabaya Regional Leadership Council, has been found guilty of falsifying a Master of Law degree.

The Surabaya District Court presided over by Judge Tongani, sentenced him to five months in prison.

“The court has found Robert Simangunsong guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of violating Law No. 12 of 2012 on Higher Education,” Judge Tongani announced on Monday.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Simangunsong, who is also a lawyer, has been fined Rp 50 million (approximately $3,000).

“If the fine is not paid, it will be replaced by an additional three months of imprisonment,” Judge Tongani said.

The court ruled that Simangunsong will not have to serve the five-month prison term if he does not commit any further crimes during the probation period.

“If Simangunsong commits another offense within the ten-month probation period and is found guilty, the prison sentence will be enforced,” the judge warned.

Following the verdict, Public Prosecutor Agus Budiarto, who had requested a six-month prison term and a Rp100 million fine with an alternative six-month imprisonment, stated that he would review his options. Simangunsong, along with his legal team, echoed the sentiment of considering their next steps.

Simangunsong was indicted for using a fraudulent Master of Law degree while representing a client in a bankruptcy case involving the shipping company Pelayaran Wahana Gemilang Samudera Raya.