Former Subordinate Of Juliari Batubara Sentenced To 7 Years In Case Of COVID-19 Social Assistance Corruption

Adi Wahyono/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Former Head of the General Bureau of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Adi Wahyono was sentenced to 7 years in prison and a fine of IDR 350 million. Adi was found guilty in the bribery case for the procurement of social assistance (bansos) COVID-19 in the Jabodetabek area.

"Therefore, the defendant is sentenced to 7 years in prison and a fine of IDR 350 million with the condition that if the fine is not paid, it is replaced with 6 months in prison", said presiding judge Muhammad Damis in a trial at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Wednesday, September 1.

In the verdict, Adi Wahyono was declared legally and convincingly guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption.

His actions violated Article 12 letter b Juncto Article 18 of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 20 of 2001 Juncto of Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code, Juncto of Article 64 paragraph ( 1) Criminal Code.

The verdict handed down to Adi Wahyono was based on several considerations. Both lightening and aggravating.

For incriminating considerations, Adi Wahyono's actions are considered not to support the government's program in eradicating corruption. Then, his actions were also carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, for mitigating considerations, Adi Wahyono is considered to have behaved politely during the trial. Then, he still has family responsibilities.

"The defendant has never been sentenced to a crime, the defendant behaved politely in court, the defendant admits and regrets his actions, the defendant still has family responsibilities", said the judge.

Meanwhile, the acceptance of bribes in this case was carried out by Adi Wahyono as the Head of the General Bureau of the Ministry of Social Affairs as well as the PPK for the procurement of the COVID-19 basic food assistance for the period October-December 2020, and Matheus Joko Santoso as the Commitment Making Officer (PPK) for the procurement of the COVID-19 basic food assistance at the Directorate of Social Protection. Social Disaster Victims of the Ministry of Social Affairs for the April-October 2020 period.

As much as IDR 32.482 billion, IDR 14.7 billion, according to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutor, had been received by Juliari from Matheus Joko and Adi Wahyono through the intermediary of people close to Juliari, namely the technical team of the Minister of Social Affairs Kukuh Ary Wibowo, Juliari's aide named Eko Budi Santoso, and the personal secretary of Juliari Selvy Nurbaity.