Juliari Batubara Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison For Corruption In Social Assistance In Today's Memory, 23 August 2021

The suspect, former Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari Batubara, arrived to undergo an examination at the KPK's Red and White Building, Jakarta, Thursday (23/3/2021). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Memori hari ini, empat tahun yang lalu, 23 Agustus 2021, Pengadilan Tindak Pidana Korupsi (Tipikor) memevonis mantan Menteri Sosial (Mensos), Juliari Batubara 12 tahun penjara. Juliari dinyatakan terbukti melakukan korupsi bansos pandemi COVID-19.

Previously, the condition of the Indonesian people was not doing well since the corona virus emerged. People's lives have fallen at the lowest level. The government took a stand. They want to alleviate the suffering of the people by providing social assistance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. Outdoor activities began to be limited. This condition brings a domino effect. The economy is sluggish. Many businesses went out of business. Layoffs appear everywhere. Like it or not, the life of all Indonesian people falls at the lowest level.

The government immediately responded to the situation. They don't want the Indonesian people to suffer more. The desire to alleviate the suffering of the people arises. The government plans to provide basic food assistance to those most affected.

The Ministry of Social Affairs was also appointed to make the distribution of social assistance successful. The owner of the power is targeting to provide 21.6 million social assistance packages to be distributed into 12 waves. The narrative brings support from many parties. However, the good intentions were violated by the Ministry of Social Affairs itself.

His minister, Juliari Batubara, is suspected of corruption in social assistance. Juliari collected at least Rp. 10,000 from each social assistance package which should have a full budget of Rp. 300 thousand per pack.

This condition allows Saleari to enjoy the proceeds of corruption reaching Rp216 billion. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) immediately acted quickly. They immediately named Juliari as a suspect and arrested on December 6, 2020.

Juliari's arrest made the people furious. Juliari is considered the leader of the crime that is taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The KPK must not be afraid, even though it is facing the ruling party. Corruption in aid funds for people who have been hit by the economic crisis due to the pandemic is clearly the highest level of crime. The perpetrators not only harm state finances, but also threaten the lives of many people."

"The interim investigation found evidence that Juliari had misappropriated his position as Social Minister to collect at least Rp. 10 thousand from each package of social assistance for victims of the pandemic in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi. Some of the funds were then used to finance various needs, including renting private jets to make work visits to a number of regions," wrote Tempo magazine report entitled Don't Stop at Juliari (2020).

Juliari's corruption sparked the anger of the people. Each trial Juliari was held by the people was furious, not playing. The people demanded that Juliari become the first corruptor in the era of the Joko Widodo (Jokowi) government to be sentenced to death.

However, that wish missed. The Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced Juliari to 12 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 500 million on August 23, 2021. Juliari was deemed legally and guilty of corruption by accepting bribes of more than Rp. 32 billion - far from the initial count of Rp. 216 billion.

The entire Indonesian people were not satisfied with the existing decision. They considered the judge to be wrong in determining what made Juliari proud. The mitigating thing is because Juliari has been criticized by one Indonesia.

"When it comes to insults (the public, ed) it's dynamics, actions and reactions. Who orders corruption. Let alone corrupt suspects, who arrest corruptors, they are called the Taliban and others. So if that is a mitigating reason, then this country will be even more funny, because a minister of corruption should actually be a burden in the midst of a pandemic and what is brushed up is clearly the COVID-19 disaster bansos funds," said the former Deputy Chairperson of the KPK, Saut Situmorang to VOI, 23 August 2021.