KPK Presents 2 Key Witnesses For Bansos Bribery, Lawyer Juliari: Efforts To Change The Testimony Map

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

JAKARTA - The trial of the alleged corruption in the social assistance bribery case with the defendant former Social Minister Juliari Batubara continues. A number of witnesses who were presented began to reveal the facts of the alleged bribe of Rp. 32.48 billion which was alleged to be Juliari.

The plan is that the prosecutors will present the two former commitment making officials (PPK) of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Matheus Joko Santoso (MJS) and Adi Wahyono (AW). The two witnesses are suspected to be key witnesses.

Responding to this, Juliari through his attorney, Maqdir Ismail, said that his party had prepared several key questions for these two witnesses. Because, said Maqdir, so far there has been no testimony stating that there was a flow of money to Juliari.

"The indictment only explains globally the figures received by JPB, but never explains the source of the money given and received by JPB," said Maqdir at the Tipikor District Court, Central Jakarta, Monday, May 31.

"In my opinion, the presence of witnesses MJS and AW to be heard is an attempt by the public prosecutor to change the map of testimony that has not been in favor of the indictment. Of course it is legal for the prosecutor to do this," added Maqdir.

Maqdir admitted that his party would explore the details regarding the receipt of money and how the money was received by JBP. Of course, also explore the origin of the money mentioned received by JBP.

"Exploring the truth of the information regarding the receipt of money which is always said to have been given or received by JPB in accordance with the indictment," said Maqdir.

Moreover, the figures stated in the indictment were considered quite large, while from the testimony of the witnesses in the BAP, the money they handed over was only a small amount. Based on the BAP, the money submitted by the witnesses to MJS amounted to Rp7,510,000,000 including from HVS and AIM.

"Meanwhile, in the indictment from Harry van Sidabuke Rp.1,280,000,000.00 and from Ardian Iskandar Maddanatja, Rp.1,950,000,000.00 and then from other vendors Rp.29,252,000,000.00," said Maqdir.

Seeing this very unequal number, continued Maqdir, of course it would be good to dig, especially from Matheus Joko Santoso.

"In fact, we hope that the statements of MJS and AW will further strengthen the statements of the witnesses who have explained that no money was received by JPB," he said.

Previously, the convict in the bribery case for the procurement of social assistance (bansos) for handling COVID-19, Harry Van Sidabukke stated that he had never given a fee commitment to former Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Juliari Peter Batubara.

He admitted that the request for the fee only came from the former commitment maker (PPK) of the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) Matheus Joko Santoso.

"It was not forwarded to the Minister of Social Affairs (Juliari Peter Batubara). As I have explained, the request was indeed from Mr. Joko, not from Mr. Juliari," said Harry while testifying at the Corruption Court in Jakarta, Monday 24 May.

During the trial, Harry also admitted that he knew the figure of Kukuh Ariwibowo who was an expert staff member of the Minister of Social Affairs. He admitted that he was introduced to Kukuh by the Ministry of Social's Budget User Authority (KPA) Adi Wahyono.

Even Adi had asked himself to meet Kukuh. "Only conveyed to Mr. Adi playing games up to Mr. Kukuh acquaintances," said Harry.

However, Harry said that he had never given money or discussed the quota for the provision of social assistance to Kukuh. Because he only met Kukuh once.

"I've only met Pak Kukuh once, especially regarding the issue of quotas," said Harry.

Harry, who claimed to have met Juliari in person, during a sudden inspection (sidak) at the grocery store. The meeting took place in the warehouse of PT. Mandala Hamonangan Sude.

Harry claimed that in that meeting Juliari never discussed the quota or fee for the provision of social assistance. "Never heard of (bansos fee)," said Harry.