In Juliari's Indictment, Secretary General Of The Ministry Of Social Affairs Hartono Laras Is Allegedly Involved In Collecting Social Assistance Fees

JAKARTA - The name of the Secretary-General (Sekjen) of the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) Hartono Laras was mentioned in the indictment of former Social Minister Juliari Peter Batubara. He is suspected of being involved in the corruption case in procuring social assistance for handling COVID-19.

This suspicion arose because, in his opinion, Hartono Laras was said to have attended the meeting with Juliari Peter Batubara at the official residence of the social minister, Jalan Widya Chandra IV No. 18 South Jakarta, on April 19, 2021. In fact, the meeting was attended by several other Ministry of Social officials.

"(The meeting) discussed the implementation of social assistance for COVID-19 and the determination of companies to be appointed as suppliers of goods", said prosecutor Ikhsan Fernandi when reading out the indictment at the trial at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Wednesday, April 21.

Those who attended the meeting included the Director-General of Social Protection and Security of the Ministry of Social Affairs Pepen Nazaruddin, the Director of Social Protection for Social Disaster Victims Isak Sawo, the Head of the General Bureau of the Ministry of Social Affairs Adi Wahyono, and the Head of the Sub-Directorate for Social & Political Disaster Management at the Ministry of Social Affairs' Social Protection for Victims of Social Disasters (PSKBS) Directorate Victorious Saut Hamonganan. Siahaan.

In addition, Hartono Laras is also suspected of knowing Juliari Peter Batubara's order regarding the collection of social assistance fees for companies procuring basic food packages.

The reason was that Adi Wahyono, who received orders from Juliari, coordinated with other Ministry of Social officials.

"Adi Wahyono conveyed the order from the defendant to Hartono, Pepen Nazaruddin, and Matheus Joko Santoso", said the prosecutor.

"In addition, Matheus Joko Santoso also collected operational fees from social assistance providers for the defendants' operational costs and other activities at the social ministry", continued the prosecutor.

Previously, it was reported that the Former Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Peter Barubara was charged with accepting bribes worth IDR 32.4 billion in the COVID-19 social assistance (bansos) project throughout Jabodetabek. The bribe was received through two of his men.

Based on the indictment, Juliari accepted bribes through Adi Wahyono and Matheus Joko Santoso amounting to IDR 1.280 billion from a private party named Harry Van Sidabukke.

Then, Juliari also received money worth IDR 1.950 billion from the President Director of PT Tigapilar Agro Utama Ardian Iskandar Maddanatja.

Finally, the indictment also stated that Juliari received money worth IDR 29.252.000.000 or IDR 29.2 billion from several goods providers in the social assistance project.