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The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) arrested the country’s Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara after he surrendered on December 6. Mr. Juliari Batubara faced charges of taking bribes in connection with the distribution of COVID-19 aid.
Batubara did not comment when he arrived at the headquarters of the Anti-Corruption Commission in Jakarta.
Exhibit suitcases at a press conference. (Photo: AP)
KPK said Batubara allegedly received at least 17 billion rupees ($ 1.2 million) from the two providers, through subordinates. These people were also named suspects.
Vendors were asked to deduct 70 cents for each food package distributed to the poor in support of COVID-19 for Batubara.
The arrest came a day after KPK blocked attempts to deliver seven suitcases and backpacks containing $ 1.3 million in cash to ministry officials.
“We will not stop here. We will closely monitor how government welfare is delivered and distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic.Bahuri said.
He said Batubara could face life in prison if convicted of stealing wages.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he had warned cabinet ministers about fighting corruption.
“I repeatedly remind all state officials to be careful when using the budget … it’s the people’s money,” Widodo spoke on television hours after the commission officially named Batubara as a suspect. “I will not protect the people involved in corruption.”
Batubara is the second cabinet member to be arrested on corruption charges in less than two weeks. Indonesian Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister Edhy Prabowo, who resigned, was also arrested on suspicion of taking bribes related to the export of lobster larvae and charged with using the money to buy luxury goods in America.
Two other Indonesian cabinet ministers, including Batubara’s predecessor, were sentenced to prison in corruption cases.
Indonesia recorded 570,000 COVID-19 cases, the highest number in Southeast Asia and the second in Asia after just 9.6 million cases in India.
