Former Minister Of Social Affairs Indicted For Rp32.4 Billion, Lawyer: Most Of The Bribery Not Tried

Juliari Batubara (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Juliari Peter Batubara's attorney, Maqdir Ismail, highlighted the charges against his client who allegedly received bribes worth Rp29.2 billion from companies procuring basic food goods. But those money-givers are not brought to justice like other bribes.

"As I said earlier what we are questioning is the amount of money of Rp. 29 billion. Because the charges were mentioned, but the person was never there even though in the BAP there were those who admitted it but they did not, until now they have not been charged as giver of this bribe. "Maqdir told reporters at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Wednesday, April 21.

According to Maqdir, in the indictment 57 companies were listed as paying bribes. Most of them refused to submit fees. While the rest are never checked and so on.

"Of the total Rp 29.252 billion, 29 vendors denied what was mentioned in the indictment. Then only 8 were admitted, while the other 20 vendors were never examined, meaning this was not based on the results of the examination of witnesses," he said. he.

"Maybe this only comes from the testimony of one of the defendants who deliberately in our opinion wanted to throw the ball up. It was thrown up as if he was carrying out an order of office. If a person carries out an order of office he cannot be punished. This seems to be what other defendants did, "continued Maqdir.

Therefore, Maqdir wanted the charges to be clear. If there is indeed receipt or delivery of bribes amounting to Rp29.2 billion, then the identity of the bribe must be disclosed.

In addition, Juliari's team of lawyers also asked the panel of judges to examine the amount of money stated in the indictment. This was considered an oddity.

"We say that because to the best of our knowledge the bribe offense was a pair offense, there was a giver and a recipient. And our client was charged with violating Article 12 letter b or Article 11 of the Corruption Act. But no one has been charged as giver of money amounting to Rp29,252 billion. "said Maqdir.

"This means that the real bribes charged to our client (Juliari) with the bribes were only Rp. 3.23 billion, namely from Harry Van Sidabukke amounting to Rp1.28 billion and Ardian Iskandar Maddanatja amounting to Rp1.95 billion," he said.

Former Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Peter Barubara was charged with accepting bribes worth Rp32.4 billion in the COVID-19 social assistance (bansos) project throughout Jabodetabek. The bribe was received through two of his men.

Based on the indictment, Juliari was called by the KPK prosecutor to accept bribes through Adi Wahyono and Matheus Joko Santoso amounting to Rp1,280 billion from a private party named Harry Van Sidabukke.

Then, Juliari also received money worth Rp1,950 billion from the President Director of PT Tigapilar Agro Utama Ardian Iskandar Maddanatja.

Finally, the indictment also stated that Juliari received money worth Rp.29,252,000,000 or Rp.29.2 billion from several goods providers in the social assistance project.