Indonesian Graft Agency Prosecutors Demand 11 Years in Jail for Ex-Minister

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors called for former social affairs minister Juliari Batubara to be jailed for 11 years for committing corruption in the Covid-19 social assistance in 2020.

“[We] demand that 11 years’ imprisonment be handed down, including prison time the defendant has served,” said the prosecuting officer at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday, July 28.

The prosecutor also demanded Juliari, who is also a politician for the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), to pay a fine of 500 million rupiahs ($34,500) or a subsidiary jail term of six months.

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

Besides, he was also ordered to pay 14.5 billion rupiahs ($1 million) to compensate state losses, and his right to run for public office for four years after serving his sentence was revoked.

Meanwhile, Juliari said that he will file a defense against the demands of the KPK prosecutors.
During the proceeding, Muhammad Damis, the presiding judge, then asked, “Regarding the criminal charges of the prosecutors, the law gives you the right to file a defense. Are you going to file a defense?” “Yes, I will file a defense, your honor,” Juliari said.

The defense will be filed regarding charges in lieu of 14.5 billion rupiahs ($1 million) and the statements made by only two of Juliari’s subordinates without considering the statements of other witnesses.

It was reported that Juliari was proven to have received bribes of 32.2 billion rupiahs ($2.2 million) related to the Covid-19 social assistance.

(Writers: Tatang Guritno | Editors: Dani Prabowo, Diamanty Meiliana)

Sources: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/07/28/14242101/eks-mensos-juliari-batubara-dituntut-11-tahun-penjara.

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/07/28/16244681/dituntut-11-tahun-penjara-eks-mensos-juliari-batubara-ajukan-pembelaan?page=2.