Social Assistance Bribery Suspect Juliari Batubara Used To Rent Aircraft, Handled By The General Bureau

Juliari Batubara (DOC. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Juliari Peter Batubara admitted to several times renting planes for official travel. The aircraft rental uses the budget from the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos).

The statement from Juliari Batubara was conveyed by the prosecutor asking questions about the use of vehicles during activities in handling social assistance in 2020.

"Regarding the witness's activities in 2020 in handling social assistance, what kind of transportation does the witness use?" asked the prosecutor during a trial at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Monday, March 22.

"I've been by car, commercial plane, sometimes chartered planes," answered Juliari.

The prosecutor, who heard the answer, immediately began investigating the plane charter. Juliari also admitted that he had rented planes several times for official trips.

"Been several times. Maybe about 3-4 times. What I remember seeing a flood in North Luwu, if I'm not mistaken, to Natuna, then to Bali once, to Semarang, to Tanah Bumbu and Malang," said Juliari.

The prosecutor again asked about the plane rental payment budget.

"How about the use of special aircraft? Where does the budget come from?" asked the prosecutor.

"The plane is chartered, sir. Yes, the budget takes care of those needs, it is at the General Bureau for the needs of the minister because the General Bureau oversees the administration of the minister, protocol," he said.

"I do not understand the exact budget, but related to official travel, it is usually handled by the General Bureau," continued Juliari Batubara.

To Juliari's knowledge, Adi Wahyono took care of the plane rental payments.

"Yes, automatically because I know the public bureau, for example, I told my secretary to coordinate with the public bureau. The head of the general bureau is still Mr. Adi Wahyono," said Juliari.