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JAKARTA: Indonesian anti-corruption officials arrested the country’s social affairs minister for allegedly receiving $ 1.2 million in bribes from two contractors tasked with distributing aid to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The minister, Juliari Batubara, was brought in for questioning at the headquarters of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in Jakarta around 3 a.m. local time on Sunday (December 6) under heavy security measures by officials. anti-bribery.
Batubara’s arrest came after a sting operation carried out by KPK officers on Saturday.
During the operation, two private contractors and two officials from the Ministry of Social Affairs were arrested and millions of dollars in cash of three different currencies were confiscated.
The KPK suspected that the money was destined for Batubara, who awarded the two companies a contract to distribute cash and essentials to 10 million families whose economies have been affected by the pandemic.
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KPK President Firli Bahuri said Batubara could face stiff penalties if convicted, considering the fact that the minister had allegedly tried to cash in on a pandemic.
“We will see if, based on witness testimonies and evidence, we should accuse (the minister) with article two of law number 31 of 1999,” Bahuri told reporters at the early morning press conference.
The KPK president was referring to article 2 of the Indonesian law on corruption, which states that the death penalty can be imposed on officials who try to profit by causing losses to state coffers during a state of emergency.
“The KPK would like to warn others not to commit acts of corruption, particularly in times of a pandemic. If there are people who are still taking advantage of the situation for their personal gain, the KPK will not hesitate to take firm action, ”said Mr. Bahuri.
The same agency recently arrested another member of President Joko Widodo’s cabinet, Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo.
Prabowo is accused of receiving bribes from a lobster importer.
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