Burhanuddin Abdullah was found guilty in the anti-corruption court of embezzling US$10.3 million (S$15.5 million) in bank funds to bribe lawmakers and hire lawyers to defend bank officials facing corruption allegations.

'The defendant has been proved legally and convincingly to have been corrupt and must be sentenced to five years in jail and fined 250 million rupiah', judge Gusrizal told the court.

The sentence was less than the eight years' jail and 500 million rupiah fine demanded by the prosecution.

Abdullah served as Bank Indonesia governor from 2003 until he was replaced earlier this year.

He told reporters he would appeal as he was being led away by police.

'I'm very disappointed with the decision and will file an appeal... I will never stop pursuing truth and justice', he said. -- AFP