Indonesian Minister Named as Suspect in Covid-19 Social Aid Graft

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Sunday has named Social Affairs Minister Juliari P Batubara as a suspect in an alleged graft case related to the Covid-19 social assistance.

Juliari has been named as the suspect following a sting operation carried out by the KPK in early Friday.

State News Antara reported that Juliari arrived in the KPK building on Sunday at around 2.45am local time. Clad in black jacket, brown pants, a black hat, and a mask, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician was accompanied by several KPK officers when entering the building.

Juliari had allegedly accepted about 17 billion rupiahs ($1.2 million) in bribes, which was allegedly used for personal purposes, KPK said.

Also read: Indonesian Minister Edhy Prabowo Arrested Over Lobster Seed Export

“The KPK has named five suspects. The alleged bribe-takers are JPB, MJS, and AW. While the alleged bribe givers comprise AIM and HS,” KPK chairman Firli Bahuri told a press conference in the early hours of Sunday, December 6.

Firli said that MJS and AW serve as the Commitment Making Officials at the Social Affairs Ministry, while AIM and HS are the representatives of the private sector.

During the operation, the KPK arrested six people comprising MJS, the directors of PT TPAU identified by their initials WG, AIM, and HS. Also, a secretary at the Social Affairs Ministry identified by the initial SN and a representative of a company identified as SJY.

Also read: Political Corruption in Indonesia Hampers Optimal Good Governance

Juliari has been charged with Article 12, Letter (a) or Article 12, Letter (b), or Article 11 of Law No. 31/1999 on Corruption Eradication, as amended by Law No. 20/2001 on the Amendment of Law No. 31/1999 on Corruption Eradication in conjunction with Article 55, Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code).