Claims Not Accepting Bribes, Juliari Batubara Expects Fair Claims

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

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Batubara will undergo a trial for charges from the KPK public prosecutor. Juliari's lawyer, Maqdir Ismail, hopes that the prosecution for the alleged bribery case for the Jabodetabek social assistance procurement is fair.

"Of course with the hope that Mr. Juliari Peter Batubara will be prosecuted fairly," said Maqdir to the media crew, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 28.

Maqdir emphasized that during the trial process, the prosecutor's indictment regarding the receipt of Rp. 14.7 billion against his client was refuted. It was stated that the Rp 14.7 billion that Juliari received was through Matheus Joko Santoso as the official commitment maker (PPK) of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Adi Wahyono as the power user of the budget.

According to him, in the trial of this case, former Expert Staff of Juliari, Kukuh Ary Wibowo; Juliari's Personal Secretary, Selvy Nurbaety; and Eko Budi Santoso as Juliari's aide who was presented as a witness stated that he had never asked for or received money related to social assistance.

"The three witnesses clearly and emphatically denied that they received no money for the benefit of the defendant Juliari Peter Batubara from Matheus Joko Santoso through Adi Wahyono," said Maqdir. Apart from the testimony of the three people, according to Maqdir, the testimony of Harry van Sidabukke, Ardian Iskandar Maddanatja, Rocky Joseph Pesik, Raj Indra Singh, Mohammad Iqbal, Dino Aprilianto, Raka Iman Topan, Riski Riswandi, Irman Putra, Kuntomo Jenawi, Merry Hartini, and Chandra Andriati expressly stated that there was never any intention to give money to Juliari Peter Coal.

"It did not cross their minds that the money given to Matheus Joko Santoso was for the benefit of Mr. Juliari Batubara," said Maqdir.

Moreover, the witnesses had met directly with Juliari, who at that time served as Minister of Social Affairs. Except by chance, Harry Van Sidabukke, explained that he had met Juliari Batubara, while inspecting the warehouse.

Maqdir stated that his client had never received a gift or promise related to power or authority related to his position as Social Minister.

Maqdir said that Juliari's statement of accepting money only came from Matheus Joko's mouth. According to Maqdir, Matheus Joko deliberately lied to drag Juliari Batubara into the vortex of the alleged bribery case for social assistance. Moreover, Matheus Joko, who is currently volunteering as a justice collaborator, is judged only to get leniency.

"Witnesses like those shown by witness Matheus Joko Santoso are evil witnesses. Witnesses like this must be stopped, by giving high penalties and acquitting people accused by witnesses like Matheus Joko Santoso from all charges," said Maqdir.