Yuli Krisna, Bandung – Judge Imas Dianasari found herself on the wrong side of the law, and the courtroom, on Monday as the Bandung Anti-Corruption Court in West Java sentenced her to six years in prison for accepting Rp 200 million ($22,000) in bribes.

Imas, who has been suspended from her position as an ad-hoc judge at the Bandung Municipal Court's industrial relations tribunal since her arrest last July, was also ordered to pay Rp 200 million in fines.

At the time of her arrest, she was hearing a dispute between Japanese-owned electrical wire manufacturer Onamba Indonesia and a union representing striking workers.

The court ruled in favor of the company and allowed it to discontinue the employment of those who joined the strike, shortly before Onamba's human resources manager Odi Juanda gave her the illicit funds. On Monday, the same court sentenced Odi to four years in prison.

The sentence was met with disappointment by workers' union representatives who attended the trial. They argued Imas should have been given 13 years, as the prosecution had demanded. "Disband the Bandung industrial court!" one worker shouted after the sentence was read.

The secretary of the Bandung branch of the National Workers Union (SPN), Dede Koswara, said Imas had marred the legal system and exposed how the judiciary favored rich businessmen.

"To tell you the truth, for those of us who have been monitoring the case from the beginning, we are disappointed," Dede said. "The judges [at the Anti-Corruption Court] failed to weigh the impact of [Imas's] actions."

The court argued that Imas deserved the lenient sentence for admitting her crime and being remorseful. Both sides have seven days to file an appeal with the West Java High Court.

Monday's verdict is the latest controversial ruling issued by the judiciary in West Java. Last year, the Bandung Anti-Corruption Court acquitted Bekasi Mayor Mochtar Muhammad for his role in an embezzlement scandal despite other defendants being jailed in the same case.

Last week, the Bandung State Administrative Court annulled a decision to raise the minimum wage in Bekasi district, prompting a massive outcry and pro tests.