Explain The Reason Juliari Was Not Demanded The Death Penalty, KPK: Charged With Bribery According To The Facts Of The Investigation

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that former Social Minister Juliari Batubara was not sentenced to life or the death penalty because the article used was the bribery article, not Article 2 Paragraph (2) of the Anti-Corruption Law.

"We need to reiterate that in this case the defendant is charged with the bribery article, not Article 2 Paragraph (2) of the Anti-Corruption Law. The application of the article is of course based on the facts obtained from the results of the investigation," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Affairs Ali Fikri told reporters, Thursday, July 29.

The demands submitted to Juliari are in accordance with the facts of the trial results. In addition, continued Ali Fikri, this demand is also based on aggravating and mitigating reasons.

So that there is no opinion, desire, or pressure from any party that can influence the demands put forward by the KPK Public Prosecutor (JPU).

Furthermore, Ali said that in the trial on Wednesday, July 28, the prosecutor had tried to increase Juliari's sentence by demanding replacement money which could be replaced by imprisonment if not paid.

In fact, the additional punishment is usually imposed on corruption defendants who cause state losses. However, Ali said that the KPK prosecutor certainly had a strong legal basis in demanding replacement money.

"We also need to convey that although in some corruption cases, replacement money is charged to the defendant in cases related to the application of Article 2 or 3 of the Anti-Corruption Law, namely those related to state losses," he said.

"We hope that the panel of judges will grant all the demands of the public prosecutor," Ali added.

Previously reported, the KPK prosecutor demanded Juliari Peter Batubara to 11 years in prison in the alleged bribery case for the procurement of social assistance (bansos) COVID-19. In addition, he was also charged with a fine of Rp. 500 million, subsidiary to 2 years in prison.

In addition, Juliari was also required to pay compensation to the state amounting to Rp. 14.5 billion as an additional penalty. In fact, if they cannot pay, their assets will be auctioned to pay the replacement money.

If the proceeds from the auction of his assets are insufficient, he could be sentenced to an additional two years' imprisonment. Furthermore, the former PDI-P politician was also sentenced to an additional sentence of revocation of the right to be elected in public office for 4 years after the defendant finished serving his main sentence.