In Pledoi, Juliari Batubara Apologizes To Jokowi And Megawati

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

JAKARTA - The defendant in the alleged bribery case for the procurement of social assistance COVID-19, Juliari Peter Batubara, named President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and the Chairperson of the PDI-P Fraction, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The two names were not mentioned because of their involvement in the alleged corruption case. Rather, apologies for neglecting to carry out their duties.

"I sincerely want to express my deepest apologies to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, for this incident. In particular, I apologize for my negligence in not carrying out stricter supervision on the performance of the ranks under me. So I have to deal with the law", said Juliari in a plea at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Monday, August 9.

Because, said Juliari, the existence of this case has greatly disrupted Jokowi's work. Moreover, at this time President Jokowi must focus on solving various problems, especially COVID-19.

"This case has certainly caught the attention of the president and was disturbed. May God Almighty always protect the President and his family", said Juliari.

Meanwhile, apologies to Megawati Soekarnoputri because what she has done has tarnished her party, namely PDIP. Then he could not keep Megawati's trust.

"Dear Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri, the General Chair of the PDI-P and the ranks of the PDI-P Central Board where since 2010 I have been trusted as the administrator of the PDI-P DPP, I must sincerely apologize and full of regret. I am aware that since this case there has been a storm of blasphemy and The insults came one after another aimed at PDI-P", said Juliari.

In addition, Juliari also believes that PDIP will continue to survive even though it continues to be ridiculed and blasphemed over the social assistance case.

"I believe that as a nationalist party that has been at the forefront of maintaining the 4 pillars of nationality, as well as the ideals of the founding fathers of the nation, I am very confident that PDIP will still be needed and loved by all Indonesian people", said Juliari.

For information, Juliari Peter Batubara was charged with 11 years in prison for the alleged bribery case for the procurement of COVID-19 social assistance. He was also charged with a fine of IDR 500 million, subsidiary to 2 years in prison.

"The sentence is in the form of imprisonment for 11 years reduced while the defendant is in detention and a fine of IDR 500 million, subsidiary of six months in prison", said the public prosecutor during the trial, Wednesday, July 28.

With these demands and considerations, the prosecutor believes that Juliari Peter Batubara has been legally and convincingly proven to have committed a criminal act of corruption. Juliari's corruption was by the first indictment.

"Declare that the defendant is proven legally and convincingly according to the law guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption as regulated and punishable by a criminal offense in Article 12 letter b Jo Article 18 or Article 11 Jo Article 18 of the Law on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph 1 to 1 of the Criminal Code Jo Article 64 paragraph 1 to 1 of the Criminal Code", said the prosecutor.