Former Ministry Of Social Affairs Official Will Testify For Juliari Batubara

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

JAKARTA - Former Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) official Matheus Joko Santoso is scheduled to be questioned as a witness in the trial of the alleged bribery case for the procurement of the Jabodetabek COVID-19 Social Assistance Agency, Monday, June 7.

Originally, Matheus would be questioned for the accused former Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Juliari Peter Batubara at the Jakarta Corruption Court.

As for this case, Matheus has also sat as a defendant. Apart from Matheus, the parties who will testify in today's trial are Agustri Yogasmara, Dino Aprilio, Raka Iman Topan and Riski Riswandi.

At the trial on Wednesday, June 2, witness Handy Rezangka from the private sector admitted to handing over Rp800 million to a former commitment making official (PPK) of the Ministry of Social Affairs Matheus Joko Santoso. The hundreds of millions of money is suspected to be a fee for the provision of social assistance (bansos) from PT. The Three Pillars of Main Agro.

"I said Pak Joko wanted to face from Tigapilar. I was directed to his room on the 3rd floor. Finally I found it, the money was handed over in a backpack for a total of Rp. 800 million, said Lia (Nuzulia Hamzah)," Handhy said in court.

Handy admitted that he handed over the Rp800 million in cash and kept it in a bag. The delivery of the money was from a private person named Nuzulia.

"Nothing, 'just asking how much is this?' I said Rp 800 million," said Handhy.

Meanwhile, Harry Van Sidabukke on different occasions had stated that he had never given a fee commitment to the 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.

"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.