Hurting People's Hearts, ICW: Juliari Should Have Been In Prison For The Rest Of His Life

Former Social Minister Juliari Batubara and his legal adviser Maqdir Ismail attended the hearing for the verdict. (Photo: Desca Lidya Natalia/Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Kurnia Ramadhana said the 12-year prison sentence handed down against the former Minister of Social Affairs was unreasonable and hurt victims of the COVID-19 social assistance corruption (bansos) corruption. According to him, the former PDIP Party politician deserves a life sentence in prison.

"Seeing the impact of Juliari's corruption, he is very appropriate and appropriate to spend a lifetime in prison", Kurnia said in a written statement to reporters quoted on Tuesday, August 24.

Kurnia presented four arguments to support her statement. First, Juliari committed a crime while serving as a public official, and based on Article 52 of the Criminal Code, the sentence given should be increased.

"Secondly, the practice of social assistance bribery was carried out in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. This shows how much corruption by Juliari has had an impact on both the economy and public health", he said.

Third, Juliari did not admit his actions until the reading of the memorandum of defense or plea. In fact, two people from the private sector, namely Ardian Maddanatja and Harry Van Sidabukke, were proven legally and convincingly to bribe Juliari.

"Fourth, the severe punishment for Juliari will give a strong message to other public officials not to practice corruption in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic situation", he said.

As previously reported, the Panel of Judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced Juliari to 12 years and a fine of IDR 500 million for being found guilty in the COVID-19 bribery case. He was also asked to pay a replacement fee of IDR 14.59 billion and was banned from entering politics after being free for four years.

This sentence was given after he was proven to have received IDR 32.48 billion in a bribery case for procuring COVID-19 social assistance. In detail, he received IDR 1.28 billion from Harry van Sidabukke, IDR 1.95 billion from Ardian Iskandar M, and IDR 29.25 billion from several other COVID-19 social assistance vendors.

For his actions, Juliari was proven to have violated Article 12 letter a or Article 11 of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Juncto Article 55 paragraph (1) 1 of the Criminal Code, Juncto Article 64 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.