Tomorrow, Judge Reads Juliari Batubara's Decision Regarding Bribery For Procurement Of COVID-19 Social Assistance

Former Social Minister Juliari Peter Batubara (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The judges of the Corruption Court (Tipikor) at the Central Jakarta District Court (PN) will read out the verdict against former Social Minister Juliari Peter Batubara. He is a defendant in the bribery case for the procurement of COVID-19 social assistance (bansos) in the Greater Jakarta area.

"God willing, tomorrow Monday, August 23, the agenda for the trial of defendant Juliari Batubara is the reading of the verdict by the panel of judges," said Central Jakarta District Court Public Relations Officer Bambang Nurcahyono to reporters, Sunday, August 22.

The plan is that it will be held at 10.00 western Indonesia time and will be broadcasted online via YouTube.

As for this case, the KPK Public Prosecutor demanded Juliari 11 years in prison in the alleged bribery case for the procurement of social assistance (bansos) COVID-19. This lawsuit was filed because he was proven guilty of accepting bribes of Rp32.4 billion from 10 companies providing basic food assistance.

Not only that but the former Minister of Social Affairs was also charged with a fine of Rp500 million, subsidiary to 2 years in prison. He was also required to pay compensation to the state of Rp14.5 billion as additional punishment.

If Juliari is unable to pay the replacement money, later his assets will be auctioned off to pay the replacement money. If the proceeds from the auction of his assets are insufficient, he could be sentenced to an additional two years' imprisonment.

Furthermore, the former PDI-P politician was also sentenced to an additional sentence of revocation of the right to be elected in public office for 4 years after the defendant finished serving his main sentence.

In the lawsuit, the prosecutor also considered various things. Ranging from lightening to aggravating things. For mitigating considerations, Juliari has never been convicted.

While the considerations are burdensome, Juliari is considered not to support the government's program to eliminate corruption, convoluted, and violent acts in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.