Corruption Bansos COVID-19, Matheus Joko Sub-Men Of Ex Social Minister Juliari Batubara Sentenced To 9 Years In Prison

Matheus Joko Santoso, former subordinate of Juliari Batubara/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - The subordinate of former Social Minister Juliari P Batubara, Matheus Joko Santoso, was sentenced to 9 years in prison plus a fine of Rp.450 million, subsidiary to 6 months in prison. He was proven to be an intermediary for accepting bribes worth Rp. 32.482 billion from 109 companies providing social assistance for COVID-19 basic necessities.

"Declaring that the defendant Matheus Joko Santoso has been legally and convincingly proven to have committed a criminal act of corruption together, continuing as the first indictment and continuing the criminal act of corruption as in the second indictment," said chairman of the panel of judges Muhammad Damis at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor) quoted Between, Wednesday, September 1st.

The verdict is heavier than the demands of the Public Prosecutor (JPU) to the KPK who requested that Matheus Joko be sentenced to 8 years in prison plus a fine of IDR 400 million subsidiary to 6 months in prison.

The panel of judges also required Matheus Joko to pay a replacement fee of Rp1.56 billion

"Stipulates that the defendant pay compensation to the state in the amount of Rp. 1.56 billion no later than one month after the court's decision has permanent legal force," added the judge.

If Matheus Joko does not pay the replacement money within one month after the court's decision has permanent legal force, his property will be confiscated by the prosecutor and auctioned to cover the replacement money.

"In the event that the convict does not have sufficient property to pay the replacement money, he is sentenced to imprisonment for 1 year and 6 months," added the judge.

The panel of judges also gave Matheus Joko the status of the perpetrator who cooperated with law enforcement (justice collaborator).

"Regarding the defendant's and legal counsel's petition and seeing the reasons presented by both the legal advisor and the public prosecutor, the reasons for becoming a 'justice collaborator' can be accepted so that the panel of judges is of the opinion to approve the 'justice collaborator' application in the a quo case," said Judge Yusuf.

The verdict against Matheus Joko was based on two indictments, namely from Article 12 letter b in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with 55 paragraph 1 of the 1st Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 64 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code and Article 12 letter i of Law No. 31 of 1999 as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 64 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.