Juliari Admits Many Social Assistance Vendors WhatsApped Him To Ask For Projects

Former Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Batubara (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Juliari Peter Batubara said that many vendors or companies approached him personally after the COVID-19 social assistance project was opened. The goal is for the vendor to get the project.

Juliari Peter Batubara conveyed this admission when presented online as a witness in the trial of the alleged bribery case for the COVID-19 social assistance project with the defendants Ardian Iskandar Maddanatja and Harry van Sidabukke.

"I have a cellphone number from (in) 1998, some of them enter WA (Whatsapp). Then there is usually a question about this social assistance program," said Juliari at the hearing, Monday, March 22.

In fact, Juliari said that many vendors have sent proposals directly to him. However, he said, the proposal was asked to be forwarded to the Directorate General of Social Protection and Security, Pepen Nazarudin.

"I always say please come to the Ministry of Social Affairs, and there in the front where it will be directed, it is open," said Juliari.

The prosecutor who heard the statement immediately questioned which vendor directly requested it. But Juliari admits that he doesn't remember exactly, what is clear is that many vendors have contacted him.

"Who asked it?" asked the prosecutor.

"Many, sir, maybe because I was from the private sector," answered Juliari.

On the other hand, Juliari said that he did not know about the standard criteria for vendors to become providers of basic food assistance.

"There was a question from the director-general about a candidate who wanted to become a partner? Have you coordinated? Have there been any formal teams?" asked the prosecutor.

"There's never been, sir, that's all technical directors, sir. They already understand the election, we don't need that, sir," he said.

In this trial, the defendant Harry van Sidabukke was a private party accused of bribing Juliari and a number of officials at the Ministry of Social Affairs with a total value of Rp 1.28 billion.

Meanwhile, President Director of PT. Tigapilar Agro Utama, Ardian Iskandar Maddanatja, was charged with giving Rp 1.95 billion to Juliari and a number of officials at the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The bribery was carried out so that the two defendants were appointed as providers of COVID-19 social assistance to the Ministry of Social Affairs in 2020.