Sentenced To 9 Years In Prison, Juliari Batubara's Ex-Heads Get Justice Collaborator Status

Corruption Court/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The panel of judges at the Corruption Court granted the Justice Collaborator (JC) request submitted by Matheus Joko Santoso as a defendant in the bribery case for the procurement of COVID-19 social assistance (bansos) in the Greater Jakarta area. Matheus will be a witness to the perpetrators and will cooperate with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"The panel of judges is of the opinion to approve the defendant's application as JC in the a quo case," said Judge Yusuf Pranowo during a trial at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Wednesday, September 1.

Some of the considerations of the panel of judges in granting the request were, among others, because Matheus had acknowledged and regretted his actions. Moreover, he is not the main character.

"The defendant is the Acting Director of PSKBS of the Ministry of Social Affairs as well as the power user of the COVID-19 basic social assistance budget who received an order from Juliari P. Batubara to collect a fee of 10 thousand per package," said Yusuf.

Another consideration from the panel of judges was that Matheus had provided information on the involvement of other parties in the case. Then, he has also returned assets resulting from criminal acts of corruption.

"The defendant has returned the basic food assistance fee of Rp. 280,400,000 in the KPK holding account," said Yusuf.

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.

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.