Recognition Of Ex Juliari Expert Staff Regarding Social Assistance Vendor Fund Flow

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

JAKARTA - Former expert staff of former Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Juliari Peter Batubara, Kukuh Ariwibowo stated that he was not aware of any request for fees from Juliari to former commitment making officials (PPK) of the Ministry of Social Affairs Matheus Joko Santoso and also Adi Wahyono.

"Nothing," said Kukuh when testifying for the defendant Juliari Peter Batubara at the Jakarta Tipikor District Court, quoted on Thursday, June 10.

Not only that, he also refused to accept money from Matheus or Adi related to the commitment to the procurement of basic food assistance fees. This was explicitly stated by Kukuh in the trial.

"Never," said Kukuh.

However, Kukuh agreed to have met Juliari together with Matheus Joko Santoso and Adi Wahyono in the minister's office. On that occasion, Kukuh did not deny that Juliari asked about the progress of the social assistance distribution. But he denied that there was a fee collection target.

"He asked about the progress of distributing groceries and its acceleration. (The target for collecting fees) is not there," added Kukuh.

Meanwhile, a number of vendors procuring social assistance (bansos) for handling COVID-19 for the Greater Jakarta area testified for the defendant, former Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Juliari Peter Batubara. They claimed to have given money to a former official commitment maker (PPK) of the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) Matheus Joko Santoso.

The vendors are the Director of PT Andalan Pesik International, Rocky Josep Pesik; Director of PT Global Tri Jaya, Raj Indra Singh; Director of PT Total Abadi Solusindo Mochamad Iqbal and Director of PT Era Nusantara Prestasi and owner of CV Nurali Cemerlang, Go Erwin.

Chairman of the Panel of Judges, Muhammad Damis, questioned vendors regarding the alleged payment of fee commitments to Ministry of Social Affairs officials Matheus Joko Santoso. This was also acknowledged by the Director of PT Andalan Pesik International, Rocky Josep Pesik who had given money worth Rp. 150 million, which was given in stages.

"Yes, 3 times (once giving Rp, red) 50 million," said Rocky.

The Director of PT Global Tri Jaya, Raj Indra Singh, also acknowledged the same thing. He said that he gave Rp 100 million to Matheus Joko Santoso. Joko asked for the money to help with the administration.

"At that time I finished the 7th (social assistance) package. I was asked by him (Joko) to help the children, for administration. I gave it one time," said Raj.

In addition, Director of PT Total Abadi Solusindo Mochamad Iqbal also admitted that he had given money to two Ministry of Social officials, Matheus Joko Santoso and Adi Wahyono, amounting to Rp 400 million. It is known, Matheus and Adi are also defendants in this case.

"I was asked to contribute to activities at the Ministry of Social Affairs, sir, by Adi and Joko, (they) did not ask for Rp. 400 million, they only asked for a contribution, the amount was not stated, it was only the rest of my personal funds, my honor," said Iqbal.